Surgical instrument comprising a powered articulation system

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated into position is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system powered by at least one electric motor for articulating the end effector.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousembodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments and staplecartridges therefor that are designed to cut and staple tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner ofattaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a distal end of a surgical staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the distal end of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrated in a closed, or clamped, configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the distal end of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrated in an articulated configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge removed from thestapling instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrated with some components removed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the distal end of the staplinginstrument of FIG. 1 illustrated with additional components removed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drive system including a quick jawclosure system, a high-load jaw clamping system, and a staple firingsystem of the stapling instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the staple firing system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the distal end of the stapling instrumentof FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the quick jaw closure system and thehigh-load jaw clamping system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 illustrates an anvil jaw of the stapling instrument of FIG. 1 inan open position;

FIG. 12 illustrates the anvil jaw of FIG. 11 closed by the quick jawclosure system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 illustrates the high-load jaw clamping system of FIG. 7 applyinga high clamping load to the anvil jaw;

FIG. 14 illustrates the high-load jaw clamping system of FIG. 7disengaged from the anvil jaw;

FIG. 15 illustrates the quick jaw closure system being disengaged fromthe anvil jaw;

FIG. 16 is a detail view arising from FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a detail view arising from FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge comprising driverretention features in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a partial elevational view of a sidewall of the staplecartridge of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 18 further comprising a staple driver in an unfired and/orretention position;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIGS. 18-21 and an interface between the staple driver and the driverretention feature when the staple driver is in the unfired and/orretention position;

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgecomprising windows defined therein and a staple driver in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the staple driver of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge comprising driverretention features in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 25,wherein the staple cartridge comprises staple drivers;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one of the staple drivers of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a staple driver comprising a retentionledge in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a top mold and a bottom mold forforming a staple cartridge configured to movably receive the stapledriver of FIG. 28 therein;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the bottom mold of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31A is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgeincluding a firing member contacting a staple driver as the firingmember translates distally during a staple firing stroke in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 31B is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple driver of FIG.31A in a fully-fired position;

FIG. 32A is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member and thestaple driver of FIG. 31A after the firing member translates distallypast the staple driver;

FIG. 32B is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member of FIG.31A contacting the staple driver as the firing member translatesproximally after the staple firing stroke;

FIG. 33 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge comprising stapledrivers and a driver retention member in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the staple drivers of FIG. 33, whereinan aperture is defined in the staple drivers, and wherein the apertureis configured to receive the driver retention member when the stapledriver is in a raised, or retention, position;

FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interaction between thedriver retention member and the aperture of the staple driver of FIG. 34when the staple driver is in the raised position;

FIG. 36A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge comprisinga curved deck surface and projections extending from the deck surface inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 36B is a partial plan view of the projections extending from thecurved deck surface of FIG. 36A;

FIG. 37A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge comprisinga curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 37B is a partial plan view of the projections extending from thecurved deck surface of FIG. 37A;

FIG. 38A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge comprisinga curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 38B is a partial plan view of the projections extending from thecurved deck surface of FIG. 38B;

FIG. 39A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge comprisinga curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 39B is a partial plan view of the projections extending from thecurved deck surface of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge seatedin an end effector, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a curved decksurface and projections extending from the curved deck surface inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple driver of thestaple cartridge of FIG. 40 in an unfired position and a fully-firedposition, wherein a portion of the staple driver extends above theprojections and the curved deck surface when the staple driver is in thefully-fired position;

FIG. 42 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge comprising threelongitudinal rows of staple cavities, wherein the proximal-most staplecavity is located in a middle row in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 43 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge comprising threelongitudinal rows of staple cavities, wherein the proximal-most staplecavity is not located in a middle row in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 44 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge comprisingprojections extending from a curved deck surface, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 44, wherein the projections extend a first distance from the curveddeck surface;

FIG. 46 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closedconfiguration, wherein the end effector comprises the staple cartridgeof FIG. 45 seated in a cartridge jaw;

FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgecomprising a projection-free, curved deck surface, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closedconfiguration, wherein the end effector comprises the staple cartridgeof FIG. 47 seated in a cartridge jaw;

FIG. 49 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgecomprising projections extending varying distances from a curved decksurface, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closedconfiguration, wherein the end effector comprises the staple cartridgeof FIG. 49 seated in a cartridge jaw;

FIG. 51 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closedconfiguration, wherein the end effector comprises a staple cartridgecomprising projections extending varying distances from a curved decksurface, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closedconfiguration, wherein the end effector comprises a staple cartridgecomprising projections extending a uniform distance from a curved decksurface, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgecomprising variable projections extending from a curved deck surface, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity from afirst longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the curved decksurface of the staple cartridge of FIG. 53, wherein the firstlongitudinal row extends alongside an elongate slot;

FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity from asecond longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the curved decksurface of the staple cartridge of FIGS. 53 and 54, wherein the secondlongitudinal row extends alongside the first longitudinal row;

FIG. 56 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity from athird longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the curved decksurface of the staple cartridge of FIGS. 53-55, wherein the thirdlongitudinal row extends alongside the second longitudinal row;

FIG. 57 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and an anvilin accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 57 illustrating the staple cartridge in an unseatedconfiguration;

FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 57 illustrating the staple cartridge in a seatedconfiguration;

FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 57 illustrating the anvil in a clamped configuration;

FIG. 61 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and an anvilin accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 62 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 61 illustrating the staple cartridge in an unseatedconfiguration;

FIG. 63 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 61 illustrating the anvil in a clamped configuration;

FIG. 64 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 61 illustrating the anvil in an overclampedconfiguration;

FIG. 65 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and an anvilin accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 66 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 65 illustrating the staple cartridge in an unseatedconfiguration;

FIG. 67 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 65 illustrating the staple cartridge in a partiallyseated configuration;

FIG. 68 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge andthe anvil of FIG. 65 illustrating the staple cartridge in a fully seatedconfiguration;

FIG. 69 is a plan view of an anvil in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 70 is a detail view of the anvil of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 a partial plan view of a staple cartridge in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 74 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 73illustrated in a clamped configuration;

FIG. 75 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 76 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 75illustrated in a clamped configuration;

FIG. 77 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 78 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 77illustrated in a partially clamped configuration;

FIG. 79 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 77illustrated in an overclamped configuration;

FIG. 80 is an exploded view of an end effector closure system of thestapling instrument of FIG. 77;

FIG. 81 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 82 is another partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG.81;

FIG. 83 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of asurgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodimentillustrating the end effector in a partially closed configuration;

FIG. 84 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 83illustrated in a closed configuration;

FIG. 85 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 83illustrated in a partially open configuration;

FIG. 86 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 83illustrated in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 87 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of asurgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 88 is an elevational view of a firing assembly including a firingmember;

FIG. 89 is an elevational view of a firing member of the end effector ofFIG. 88;

FIG. 90 is another elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 88;

FIG. 91 is a perspective view of a firing assembly of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 92 is another perspective view of the firing assembly of FIG. 91;

FIG. 93 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the firing assembly ofFIG. 91 illustrating a tissue cutting knife of the firing assembly in adeployed configuration;

FIG. 94 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the firing assembly ofFIG. 91 in an undeployed configuration;

FIG. 95 is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge comprisingthe firing assembly of FIG. 91;

FIG. 96 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.95;

FIG. 97 is a partial exploded view of a firing assembly of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 98 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and a staple cartridge illustrating the firing assembly in an unfiredposition;

FIG. 99 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and the staple cartridge of FIG. 98 illustrating the firing assembly ina partially fired position;

FIG. 100 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and the staple cartridge of FIG. 98 illustrating the firing assembly ina fired position;

FIG. 101 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and the staple cartridge of FIG. 98 illustrating the firing assembly atthe end of the staple firing stroke;

FIG. 102 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and the staple cartridge of FIG. 98 illustrating the firing assemblybeing retracted after the staple firing stroke;

FIG. 103 is a partial elevational view of the firing assembly of FIG. 97and the staple cartridge of FIG. 98 illustrating the firing assembly ina retracted position;

FIG. 104 illustrates a staple firing system and a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 105 illustrates a firing member of the staple firing system of FIG.104 being advanced distally during a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 106 illustrates the firing member of FIG. 105 rotating a tissuecutting knife of the staple firing system from an undeployed position toa deployed position;

FIG. 107 illustrates the tissue cutting knife of FIG. 106 in afully-deployed position;

FIG. 108 illustrates the staple firing system of FIG. 104 being advanceddistally during a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 109 illustrates the firing member of FIG. 105 being retracted afterthe staple firing stroke;

FIG. 110 illustrates the tissue cutting knife of FIG. 106 being rotatedtoward its undeployed position by the firing member of FIG. 105 as thefiring member is being retracted;

FIG. 111 illustrates a knife edge of the tissue cutting knife of FIG.106 retracted below the deck of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 112 illustrates the firing member of FIG. 105 decoupled from thetissue cutting knife of FIG. 106;

FIG. 113 is an exploded view of the staple firing system and the staplecartridge of FIG. 104;

FIG. 114 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of asurgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 115 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrated in a closed configuration;

FIG. 116 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrated in a partially-fired configuration;

FIG. 117 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrated in a fired configuration;

FIG. 118 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrating a firing system of the surgical instrument in aretraction mode;

FIG. 119 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrating a portion of the firing system decoupled from a portionof the staple firing system that is being retracted;

FIG. 120 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.114 illustrating the end effector after it has been re-opened;

FIG. 121 is a partial exploded view of an end effector in accordancewith at least embodiment illustrated with some components removed;

FIG. 122 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of asurgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodimentcomprising a staple cartridge in an unspent condition;

FIG. 123 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 illustrating a staple firing system of the surgical instrument in apre-firing stroke configuration with a firing bar of the staple firingsystem being engaged with a sled/knife member of the staple firingsystem;

FIG. 124 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 in a partially-fired configuration with the staple firing systemadvanced just past a spent cartridge lockout of the stapling instrument;

FIG. 125 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 illustrating the staple firing system being retracted;

FIG. 126 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 illustrating the firing bar of the staple firing system beingdecoupled from the sled by the spent cartridge lockout during theretraction of the staple firing system;

FIG. 127 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 illustrating the firing bar of the staple firing system in afully-retracted position with the staple cartridge in a spent condition;

FIG. 128 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.122 illustrating the firing bar of the staple firing system beingblocked by spent cartridge lockout because the spent staple cartridgehas not been replaced with an unspent staple cartridge;

FIG. 129 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including astaple firing drive;

FIG. 130 is a partial plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 129;

FIG. 131 is a partial perspective view of the staple firing drive ofFIG. 129 in an unfired state;

FIG. 132 is a partial perspective view of the staple firing drive ofFIG. 129 in a partially fired state;

FIG. 133 is a partial perspective view of the staple firing drive ofFIG. 129 in a retracted state;

FIG. 134 is a partial perspective view of an end effector of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment illustrated with ajaw of the end effector in an open position;

FIG. 135 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 134illustrating a jaw closure lockout in a locked state and a staple firinglockout in a locked state owing to the absence of an unfired staplecartridge seated in the end effector;

FIG. 136 is a perspective view of a lockout assembly including the jawclosure lockout and staple firing lockout of FIG. 135;

FIG. 137 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 134illustrating the jaw closure lockout in an unlocked state and the staplefiring lockout in an unlocked state owing to the presence of an unfiredstaple cartridge seated in the end effector;

FIG. 138 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 134illustrating the staple cartridge of FIG. 137 in a partially firedstate;

FIG. 139 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge comprising acartridge body and a sled in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 140 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 139 illustrating the sled in a proximal unfired position;

FIG. 141 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 139 illustrating the sled being advanced distally during a staplefiring stroke and activating a spent cartridge lockout in the staplecartridge;

FIG. 142 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 139 illustrating the sled advanced distally during the staplefiring stroke and the spent cartridge lockout in an activated state;

FIG. 143 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 139 illustrating the sled being retracted after the staple firingstroke and the spent cartridge lockout in an activated state preventingthe sled from being returned back into its proximal unfired position;

FIG. 144 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a surgicalinstrument comprising an anvil jaw and a staple cartridge jaw inaccordance with at least one embodiment illustrated in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 144A is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.144;

FIG. 145 illustrates the end effector of FIG. 144 in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 145A is a detail view of the end effector of FIG. 144 illustratedin the closed configuration of FIG. 145;

FIG. 146 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.144 illustrated in the closed configuration of FIG. 145;

FIG. 147 is an elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 144illustrated with the anvil jaw in an open position relative to thestaple cartridge jaw;

FIG. 148 is an elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 144illustrated with the anvil jaw in a parallel position with respect tothe staple cartridge jaw;

FIG. 149 is an elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 144illustrated with the anvil jaw in an over clamped position with respectto the staple cartridge jaw;

FIG. 149A is a detail view of the end effector of FIG. 144 in theconfiguration of FIG. 149;

FIG. 149B is a detail view of the end effector of FIG. 144 illustratedin a re-opened configuration;

FIG. 150 is a chart depicting the displacement and loads experienced bythe end effector clamping system and the staple firing system of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 144;

FIG. 151 is an elevational view of an end effector in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 152 is an elevational view of the end effector of FIG. 151 beingclamped onto patient tissue T;

FIG. 153 is a chart depicting the displacement and loads experienced bythe end effector clamping system and the staple firing system of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 151;

FIG. 154 is a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 155 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 154 illustrated in an articulated configuration;

FIG. 156 is a partial perspective view of the articulation joint of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 154 illustrated in an articulatedconfiguration with a portion of the articulation joint hidden for thepurpose of illustration;

FIG. 157 is a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 158 is a partial perspective view of an articulation joint of asurgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 159 is a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 160 is a side elevation view of the articulation joint of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 159 illustrating a firing member of thesurgical instrument;

FIG. 161 is a perspective view of a portion of the articulation joint ofthe surgical instrument of FIG. 159 illustrating a distal articulationlock;

FIG. 162 is a plan view of an articulation joint of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 163 is a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 164 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 163 illustrated with portions of the articulationjoint hidden for clarity;

FIG. 165 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 164 illustrating the articulation joint in anarticulated configuration;

FIG. 166 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 163 with portions of the articulation joint hiddenfor clarity; and

FIG. 167 is a plan view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 163.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate certain embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 19, 2019 and which are eachincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,766, entitled METHOD FOROPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2021/0186495;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,706, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A SEATING CAM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2021/0186497;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,731, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A RAPID CLOSURE MECHANISM, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2021/0186498;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,735, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSURE SYSTEM INCLUDING A CLOSURE MEMBER AND ANOPENING MEMBER DRIVEN BY A DRIVE SCREW, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2021/0186493;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,747, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NESTED FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2021/0186500;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,751, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A DEPLOYABLE KNIFE, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2021/0186501;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,769, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A DETACHABLE TISSUE CUTTING KNIFE, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2021/0186502;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,730, entitled STAPLING SYSTEMCOMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND A FIRING LOCKOUT, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2021/0186490;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,742, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A LATCH LOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2021/0186499;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,781, entitled MOTOR DRIVENSURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2021/0186504;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,789, entitled STAPLINGINSTRUMENT COMPRISING INDEPENDENT JAW CLOSING AND STAPLE FIRING SYSTEMS,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0186506;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,725, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING DRIVER RETENTION MEMBERS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2021/0186492;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,740, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING DRIVER RETENTION MEMBERS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2021/0186494;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING PROJECTIONS EXTENDING FROM A CURVED DECK SURFACE, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0186505; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,806, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A CURVED DECK SURFACE, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2021/0186507.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 25, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/363,070, entitled FIRING DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/363,051, entitled FIRING DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/363,045, entitled ARTICULATION DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/363,062, entitled FIRING DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 30, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,104, entitled METHOD FORAUTHENTICATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH A SURGICALINSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,108, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,111, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM FOR TRACKING A MOVABLE COMPONENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,114, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ALIGNED RFID SENSOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,105, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION DECRYPTION PROTOCOL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,110, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION ENCRYPTION PROTOCOL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,120, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM HAVING A LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,125, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM HAVING A FRANGIBLE RFID TAG; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,103, entitled PACKAGING FOR AREPLACEABLE COMPONENT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 30, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,107, entitled METHOD OF USINGMULTIPLE RFID CHIPS WITH A SURGICAL ASSEMBLY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,109, entitled MECHANISMS FORPROPER ANVIL ATTACHMENT SURGICAL STAPLING HEAD ASSEMBLY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,119, entitled MECHANISMS FORMOTOR CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS OF A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,115, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH BATTERY COMPATIBILITY VERIFICATION FUNCTIONALITY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,117, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMWITH RFID TAGS FOR UPDATING MOTOR ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,121, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMSWITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,122, entitled RFIDIDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,106, entitled RFIDIDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,112, entitled SURGICAL RFIDASSEMBLIES FOR DISPLAY AND COMMUNICATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,116, entitled SURGICAL RFIDASSEMBLIES FOR COMPATIBILITY DETECTION; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,118, entitled SURGICAL RFIDASSEMBLIES FOR INSTRUMENT OPERATIONAL SETTING CONTROL.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosure of each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,385, entitled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,403, entitled METHOD OF CLOUDBASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,407, entitled METHOD OF ROBOTICHUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,416, entitled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OFCOMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLYDISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,427, entitled METHOD OF USINGREINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZEPERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,433, entitled METHOD OF SENSINGPARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMPSPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONALPARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,447, entitled METHOD FOR SMOKEEVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,453, entitled METHOD FORCONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,458, entitled METHOD FOR SMARTENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,465, entitled METHOD FORADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,478, entitled METHOD FORSITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTEDDEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED SITUATION ORUSAGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,490, entitled METHOD FORFACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,491, entitled METHOD FORCIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONALAWARENESS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 26, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,273, entitled METHOD FORPROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AREPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,283, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A FIRINGLOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,289, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A CLOSURELOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,302 entitled UNIVERSAL CARTRIDGEBASED KEY FEATURE THAT UNLOCKS MULTIPLE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS INDIFFERENT SURGICAL STAPLERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,310, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINERS WITH FRANGIBLE RETENTION FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,330, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER WITH FRANGIBLE AUTHENTICATION KEY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,335, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER WITH RETRACTABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,343, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER SYSTEM WITH AUTHENTICATION KEYS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,355, entitled INSERTABLEDEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,369, entitled DUAL CAM CARTRIDGEBASED FEATURE FOR UNLOCKING A SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,391, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH CAM SURFACES CONFIGURED TO ENGAGE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PORTIONS OFA LOCKOUT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,413, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH MOVABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,423, entitled DEACTIVATORELEMENT FOR DEFEATING SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE LOCKOUTS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,429 entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Designpatent applications that were filed on Jun. 25, 2019 which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,066, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FIRING SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,067, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/696,072, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 21, 2019 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,658, entitled METHODS FORCONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSUREAND FIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,670, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,675, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERSWITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKEDCONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,685, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,693, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMITARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,704, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OFAN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,707, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,741, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,762, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,660, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARDTISSUE CUTTING FEATURE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,666, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,672, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,678, entitled ROTARY DRIVENFIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND FRAME ENGAGEMENT FEATURES; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,682, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRINGMEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisionalpatent applications, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,302, entitledINTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,294, entitled DATASTRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZEDRECORD;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,300, entitledSURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,309, entitledSURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATINGTHEATER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,310, entitledCOMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,291, entitled USE OFLASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OFBACK SCATTERED LIGHT;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,296, entitledADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,333, entitledCLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO AUSER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,327, entitledCLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS ANDREACTIVE MEASURES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,315, entitled DATAHANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,313, entitled CLOUDINTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,320, entitled DRIVEARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,307, entitledAUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/649,323, entitledSENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisionalpatent application, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/650,887, entitledSURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplication, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OFCOMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLYDISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Aug. 20, 2018 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101, entitled METHOD FORFABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,183, entitled REINFORCEDDEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,150, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,098, entitled FABRICATINGTECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081, entitled METHOD FOROPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097, entitled POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONSTO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104, entitled POWEREDARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKINGARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVESYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119, entitled ARTICULATABLEMOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTORARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160, entitled SWITCHINGARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/660,252, entitled SURGICALSTAPLER ANVILS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Aug. 3, 2017 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/668,324, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMSHAFT INTERCONNECTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/668,301, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMBAILOUT; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/668,319, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMCOMPRISING AN ARTICULATION BAILOUT.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 28, 2017 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,693, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN OFFSET ARTICULATION JOINT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,729, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM RATIO;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,785, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM RATIO;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,808, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING FIRING MEMBER SUPPORTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,837, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM LOCKABLE TO A FRAME;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,941, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM LOCKABLE BY A CLOSURESYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,029, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHAFT INCLUDING A HOUSING ARRANGEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,958, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING SELECTIVELY ACTUATABLE ROTATABLE COUPLERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,981, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SHORTENED STAPLE CARTRIDGE NOSES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/636,009, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHAFT INCLUDING A CLOSURE TUBE PROFILE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,663, entitled METHOD FORARTICULATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,530, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR WITH AXIALLY SHORTENEDARTICULATION JOINT CONFIGURATIONS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,549, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH OPEN AND CLOSABLE JAWS AND AXIALLY MOVABLE FIRINGMEMBER THAT IS INITIALLY PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE JAWS PRIOR TOFIRING;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,559, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS CONSTRAINED TO PIVOT ABOUT AN AXIS UPON CONTACTWITH A CLOSURE MEMBER THAT IS PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE PIVOTAXIS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,578, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH IMPROVED JAW APERTURE ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,594, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING DEVICES WITH PIVOTABLE ANVIL WITH A TISSUE LOCATINGARRANGEMENT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN ANVIL PIVOT AXIS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,612, entitled JAW RETAINERARRANGEMENT FOR RETAINING A PIVOTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT JAW INPIVOTABLE RETAINING ENGAGEMENT WITH A SECOND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT JAW;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,621, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,521, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENT;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,083, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SHAFT;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,087, entitled SURGICALFORMING ANVIL;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,093, entitled SURGICALFASTENER CARTRIDGE;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,121, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,125, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,128, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/609,129, entitled DISPLAYSCREEN PORTION OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A GRAPHICAL USERINTERFACE.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 27, 2017 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,024, entitled SURGICAL ANVILMANUFACTURING METHODS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,035, entitled SURGICAL ANVILARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,046, entitled SURGICAL ANVILARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,054, entitled SURGICAL ANVILARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,068, entitled SURGICAL FIRINGMEMBER ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,076, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,090, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,099, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS AND ANVILS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/634,117, entitled ARTICULATIONSYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 21, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,221, entitled LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198, entitled LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941, entitled SURGICAL TOOLASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURESYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION ANDFIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950, entitled SURGICAL TOOLASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,945, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENINGDISTANCE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953, entitled METHODS OFSTAPLING TISSUE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954, entitled FIRING MEMBERSWITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEMACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,947, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESAND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896, entitled METHOD FORRESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,901, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEAND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904, entitled STAPLE FIRINGMEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRINGASSEMBLY LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A FUSE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,920, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,913, entitled ANVIL ARRANGEMENTSFOR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914, entitled METHOD OFDEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THESAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,893, entitled BILATERALLYASYMMETRIC STAPLE FORMING POCKET PAIRS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERSWITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE ANDDISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,911, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE/FASTENERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRINGSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,917, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931, entitled NO-CARTRIDGE ANDSPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,915, entitled FIRING MEMBER PINANGLE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897, entitled STAPLE FORMINGPOCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,912, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS AND INCLUDESEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,910, entitled ANVIL HAVING AKNIFE SLOT WIDTH;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906, entitled FIRING MEMBER PINCONFIGURATIONS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,192, entitled STEPPED STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,206, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEWITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226, entitled DURABILITYFEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236, entitled CONNECTIONPORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887, entitled METHOD FORATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY,TO A SURGICAL ROBOT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AMOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRINGMEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMCOMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TOARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING A LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,916, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,918, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,919, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE/FASTENER CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TODISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925, entitled JAW ACTUATED LOCKARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICALEND EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE ENDEFFECTOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926, entitled AXIALLY MOVABLECLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OFSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE COVERARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATORSHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING ANDCLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF ANARTICULATION LOCK;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934, entitled ARTICULATION LOCKARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION INRESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,935, entitled LATERALLYACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OFA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled STAPLING SYSTEMFOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,834, entitled STAMPED STAPLESAND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 24, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,218, entitled SURGICALFASTENER;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,227, entitled SURGICALFASTENER;

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,259, entitled SURGICALFASTENER CARTRIDGE; and

U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/569,264, entitled SURGICALFASTENER CARTRIDGE.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325, entitled METHOD FOROPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321, entitled MODULAR SURGICALSTAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,326, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELYROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,210, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENTHEIGHTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled ANVIL MODIFICATIONMEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENERS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,336, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLINGSYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Dec. 31, 2015 whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,488, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,525, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 9, 2016 which areeach herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVETO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATIONSYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS.

Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which were filed on Feb. 12, 2016 whichare each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,254, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,259, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,275, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289, entitled MECHANISMS FORCOMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Jun. 18, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,182,818;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941, entitled SURGICAL ENDEFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES, now U.S. Pat. No.10,052,102;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRINGBEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,405,863;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTERFIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT, now U.S. Pat. No.10,335,149;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATIONDRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,368,861; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876, entitled PUSH/PULLARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,178,992.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 6, 2015 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,246;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVELTHRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,441,279;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUECOMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUETYPES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256154;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTISENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUECOMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256071;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEEDCONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICALINSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,985,148;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENTEVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, ANDVISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,044;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,817, entitled INTERACTIVEFEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,924,961;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844, entitled CONTROL TECHNIQUESAND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROLPROCESSING FROM HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,045,776;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITHLOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,248;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765, entitled SYSTEM FORDETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICALSTAPLE/FASTENER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2016/0256160;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWERCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,901,342; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Pat. No.10,245,033.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Pat. No.10,045,779;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICALAPPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND, now U.S. Pat. No.10,180,463;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGINGSYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249910;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEMTHAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,182,816;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555, entitled SYSTEM FORMONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,321,907;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERYFOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,118;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FORA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,245,028;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,993,258;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLINGASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,250; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUSCONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Pat. No.10,159,483.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANSFOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. Pat. No.9,844,374;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,188,385;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTSFOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,375;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKINGARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICALEND EFFECTORS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,748;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETENON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Pat. No.10,245,027;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,004,501;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAMSUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,355;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,897,000; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,117,649.

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,309;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWEREDARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,782,169;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCHARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0249557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICALSURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,358,003;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSORMOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,554,794;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCHASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,767;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSORSTRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,468,438;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. Pat. No.9,398,911; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,986.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Pat. No.9,687,230;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROLARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,332,987;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,883,860;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263541;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSORARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,244;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONMOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,762;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMLOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,629,623;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATIONCONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,351,726;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAINCONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,351,727; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEMFOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,888,919.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplication that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,629.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTCONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272582;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATIONVERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,977;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OFNUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272580;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,013,049;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Pat. No.9,743,929;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACKALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,028,761;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2015/0272571;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR, now U.S. Pat. No.9,690,362;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,738;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMSFOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,497;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2015/0272557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Pat. No.9,804,618;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,733,663;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,499; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,201,364.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY ANDSENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,111,679;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITHINTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Pat. No.9,724,094;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICEDEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,737,301;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORSWITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,757,128;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled POLARITY OF HALLMAGNET TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,199;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGEWAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,242;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTORCONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,836; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OFTISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2016/0066913.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVENSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,826,976;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROMTHE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,649,110;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THESURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,844,368;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEARSURGICAL STAPLE/FASTENER, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,405,857;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled TRANSMISSIONARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,680;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARYDRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Pat. No.9,801,626;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICALSTAPLE/FASTENER, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,612;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMDECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FORA SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.10,136,887; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTORDRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,814,460.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH POWER;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEARCUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTORCONTROL; and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, theperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thevarious methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numeroussurgical procedures and applications including, for example, inconnection with open surgical procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be insertedinto a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through anincision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions orend effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into apatient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has aworking channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of asurgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Thesurgical stapling system further comprises an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated,relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Otherembodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

A surgical stapling instrument 1000 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-17. Thestapling instrument 1000 comprises a shaft 1100, an end effector 1200,and an articulation joint 1300 rotatably connecting the end effector1200 to the shaft 1100. The articulation joint 1300 comprises anarticulatable portion 1310 rotatably connected to a distal end 1110 ofthe shaft 1100 about a first articulation pivot 1320. The articulatableportion 1310 is also rotatably connected to a proximal end 1210 of theend effector about a second articulation pivot 1330. As a result, thearticulatable portion 1310 is rotatable relative to a frame 1120 of theshaft 1100 about a first articulation axis AA1 and the end effector 1200is rotatable relative to the articulatable portion 1310 about a secondarticulation axis AA2. The stapling instrument 1000 further comprises anarticulation drive system 1500 configured to articulate the end effector1200 about the articulation joint 1300.

Further to the above, the articulation drive system 1500 comprises firstarticulation drive cables 1520 attached to the first articulatableportion 1310 and second articulation drive cables 1530 attached to theproximal end 1210 of the end effector 1200. The first articulation drivecables 1520 are operably coupled to one or more electric motors suchthat, when one of the first articulation drive cables 1520 is pulledproximally, the articulatable portion 1310 articulates in a firstdirection about the first articulation pivot 1320 and, when the otherarticulation drive cable 1520 is pulled proximally, the articulatableportion 1310 articulates in a second, or opposite, direction about thefirst articulation pivot 1320. Similarly, the second articulation drivecables 1530 are operably coupled to one or more electric motors suchthat, when one of the second articulation drive cables 1530 is pulledproximally, the end effector 1200 articulates in a first direction aboutthe second articulation pivot 1330 and, when the other articulationdrive cable 1520 is pulled proximally, the end effector 1200 articulatesin a second, or opposite, direction about the second articulation pivot1330.

The end effector 1200 comprises a first jaw 1220 and a second jaw 1230which is rotatable relative to the first jaw 1220 about an axis ofrotation, or closure axis, CA defined by a pivot 1240. The first jaw1220 comprises a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge 1400,or any other suitable staple cartridge. The staple cartridge 1400comprises a cartridge body 1422 (FIG. 4) including staple cavities 1423(FIG. 4) defined therein, staples removably stored in the staplecavities 1423, and staple drivers configured to support the staples andpush the staples out of the cartridge body 1422 during a staple firingstroke. The second jaw 1230 comprises an anvil including staple formingpockets configured to deform the staples when the staples are ejectedfrom the staple cartridge 1400 during the staple firing stroke. Thestaple cartridge 1400 comprises a tissue support surface 1421 and thesecond jaw 1230 comprises a tissue compression surface 1231 configuredto compress the patient tissue between the jaws 1220 and 1230 when thesecond jaw 1230 is moved into its closed, or clamped, position. Asdescribed in greater detail below, the stapling instrument 1000comprises a closure drive system 1600 configured to move the second jaw1230 between an open, unclamped, position, and a closed, clamped,position.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 7-9, the closure drive system 1600comprises a rotatable drive shaft 1610 which is driven by an electricmotor operably coupled to the drive shaft 1610 by a flexible drive shaft1910. The flexible drive shaft 1910 extends through the shaft 1100 andthe articulation joint 1300 such that a distal end of the flexible driveshaft 1910 is coupled to the closure drive shaft 1610 at a locationwhich is distal with respect to the articulation joint 1300, althoughthe closure drive shaft 1610 can be coupled to the flexible drive shaft1910 at any suitable location. The distal end of the flexible driveshaft 1910 comprises a hex-shaped recess which is configured to receivea hex-shaped lug extending proximally from the closure drive shaft 1610such that the flexible drive shaft 1910 and the closure drive shaft 1610rotate together; however, any suitable coupling between the shafts 1610and 1910 could be used.

Further to the above, the closure drive system 1600 comprises aquick-closure system and a high-force closure system. Both thequick-closure system and the high-force closure system are configured toclose the second jaw 1230, but in different ways. Referring primarily toFIG. 7, the closure drive system 1600 comprises a quick-closure member1630 and high-force closure member 1620. The high-force closure member1620 comprises a threaded aperture defined therein which is threadablyengaged with the threads of the closure drive shaft 1610. When the driveshaft 1610 is turned in a first direction, the drive shaft 1610 drivesthe high-force closure member 1620 proximally. The quick-closure member1630 is not threadably engaged with the drive shaft 1610 and, when thedrive shaft 1610 is turned in the first direction, the quick-closuremember 1630 is pushed proximally by the high-force closure member 1620via a spring 1640 positioned intermediate the high-force closure member1620 and the quick-closure member 1630. At the outset of the closingprocess, the quick-closure member 1630 is in direct contact with thesecond jaw 1230, but the high-force closure member 1620 is not in directcontact with the second jaw. The quick-closure member 1630 comprises aproximal end 1632 and drive arms 1634 extending distally therefrom. Eachof the drive arms 1634 comprises a drive pin 1639 extending inwardlyinto a drive recess 1239 defined in the second jaw 1230 such that, whenthe quick-closure member 1630 is pushed proximally by the high-forceclosure member 1620, the quick-closure member 1630 rotates the secondjaw 1230 into a closed position. As a result of this arrangement, theinitial closing motion of the second jaw 1230 is caused by thequick-closure member 1630.

Notably, further to the above, the spring 1640 compresses between thehigh-force closure member 1620 and the quick-closure member 1630 whenthe high-force as the closure member 1620 is driven proximally. Theamount of relative motion between the high-closure member 1620 and thequick-closure member 1630 is a function of the spring constant of thespring 1640 and, in addition, the clamping load, or resistance, beingapplied to the tissue by the second jaw 1230. As a result, the closedposition of the second jaw 1230 at this stage of the closure stroke mayvary depending on the thickness and/or density, for example, of thetissue positioned intermediate the second jaw 1230 and the staplecartridge 1400. If thicker tissue is positioned between the second jaw1230 and the staple cartridge 1400, for instance, the tissue compressionsurface 1231 of the second jaw 1230 may not be parallel to the tissuesupport surface 1421 of the staple cartridge 1400. If thinner tissue ispositioned between the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400,the tissue compression surface 1231 of the second jaw 1230 may beparallel to, or past parallel with respect to, the tissue supportsurface 1421 of the staple cartridge 1400. This variability is notconcerning at this stage as the quick-closure system of the closuresystem 1600 is designed to give a rough approximation of the position ofthe second jaw 1230 on the patient tissue before the tissue is fullyclamped by the high-load closure system and before the staples are firedby the staple firing system 1700.

If the clinician desires to re-open the second jaw 1230, further to theabove, the clinician controls the electric motor to operate the electricmotor in an opposite direction to rotate the closure drive shaft 1610 inan opposite direction. In such instances, the closure drive shaft 1610drives the high-force closure member 1620 distally which relaxes, orlowers, the force within the spring 1640 to allow the second jaw 1230 toopen, at least slightly. Moreover, in such instances, the high-forceclosure member 1620 can push the quick-closure member 1630 distally topush the second jaw 1230 into an open, or unclamped, position. Morespecifically, each of the drive arms 1634 of the quick-closure member1630 comprises an inwardly extending tab 1635 which is contacted by thehigh-force closure member 1620 when the high-force closure member 1620is retracted distally such that the high-force closure member 1620directly, or positively, pushes the quick-closure member 1630 distallyduring an opening stroke. The clinician can open and close the secondjaw 1230 as many times as desired in order to properly position the jawsof the stapling instrument 1000 on the patient tissue. Compared to thehigh-force closure system, which is discussed in greater detail below,the quick-closure system moves the second jaw 1230 quickly withouthaving to apply large compressive, or clamping, loads to the patienttissue.

As outlined above, the closure drive shaft 1610 is rotated to drive thehigh-force closure member 1620 proximally to push the quick-closuremember 1630 proximally and quickly close the second jaw 1230. At thispoint, the high-force closure member 1620 is not in direct contact withthe second jaw 1230. Continued rotation of the closure drive shaft 1610,however, brings the high-force closure member 1620 into contact with thesecond jaw 1230. More specifically, the high-force closure member 1620comprises cams 1625 defined thereon which are brought into contact withcam surfaces 1235 defined on the bottom of the second jaw 1230 and drivethe second jaw 1230 into its closed position. Owing to the directcontact between the cams 1625 and the second jaw 1230, the second jaw1230 is positively positioned in its closed position. In such instances,as a result, the staple forming pockets defined in the second jaw 1230are properly aligned with the staples in the staple cartridge 1400.Also, as a result, a high clamping force is applied to the tissueclamped between the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400. Atsuch point, the staple firing system 1700 can be operated to fire thestaples from the staple cartridge 1400. If, however, the cliniciandesires to re-open the second jaw 1230 instead, the closure drive shaft1610 can be operated in the reverse direction to drive the high-forceclosure member 1620 distally to disengage the cams 1625 from the secondjaw 1230 and, to fully open the second jaw 1230, drive the quick-closuremember 1240 distally as described above. The entire disclosure of U.S.Pat. No. 9,585,658, entitled STAPLING SYSTEMS, which issued on Mar. 7,2017, is incorporated by reference herein.

The staple firing system 1700 of the stapling instrument 1000 comprisesa firing drive shaft 1710. The proximal end of the firing drive shaft1710 comprises a hex-shaped lug extending proximally that is operablyengaged with a flexible rotatable firing drive shaft extending throughthe closure drive shaft 1610; however, any suitable coupling between theshafts 1610 and 1710 could be used. The flexible drive shaft is operablycoupled to an electric motor which is operable independently of theclosure motor such that the firing drive shaft 1710 is operableindependently of the closure drive shaft 1610. The staple firing system1700 further comprises a firing member 1720 which includes a threadednut 1730 threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the firing driveshaft 1710. When the firing drive shaft 1710 is rotated in a firstdirection, the firing member 1720 is driven distally to perform thestaple firing stroke. The firing member 1720 further comprises ramps1740 which are configured to engage the drivers in the staple cartridge1400 and eject the staples from the staple cartridge 1400 during thestaple firing stroke. The firing member 1720 also comprises a tissuecutting knife 1750 which cuts the stapled tissue during the staplefiring stroke. When the firing drive shaft 1710 is rotated in a second,or opposite, direction, the firing member 1720 is driven proximally.

As described above, referring primarily to FIGS. 4 and 9, the first jaw1220 comprises a channel 1222 configured to receive the staple cartridge1400. The first jaw 1220 is pinned to the proximal end 1210 of the endeffector 1200 by two pins 1214 such that there is no relative movement,or at least substantial relative movement, between the first jaw 1220and the proximal end 1210. The first jaw 1220 comprises a proximal end1224 configured to receive a proximal end 1424 of the staple cartridge1400 and a distal end 1226 configured to receive a distal end 1426 ofthe staple cartridge 1400. In this embodiment, the distal end 1426 ofthe staple cartridge 1400 hangs over the distal end 1226 of the firstjaw 1220 which provides a datum for properly positioning the distal end1426 of the staple cartridge 1400 relative to the channel 1222. Thestaple cartridge 1400 comprises a longitudinal slot 1428 defined in thecartridge body 1422 which is configured to receive a portion of thefiring member 1420 therein. The first jaw 1220 further comprises alongitudinal slot 1229 defined therein which is aligned with thelongitudinal slot 1428 when the staple cartridge 1400 is seated in thechannel 1222. The longitudinal slot 1228 is an internal slot defined inthe bottom portion of the channel 1222 which is configured to receive abottom cam 1729 of the firing member 1720 during the staple firingstroke. The first jaw 1220 further comprises a cap 1223 attached to thechannel 1222 by welds, for example, which enclose the internallongitudinal slot 1228 of the channel 1222.

As described above, the second jaw 1230 is rotatably mounted to thefirst jaw 1220 about a pivot 1240. Referring primarily to FIG. 9, thesecond jaw 1230 comprises outwardly-extending pins 1237 which areclosely received in slots 1227 defined in the first jaw 1220. The pins1237 are captured in the slots 1227 by retaining members 1225 press-fitonto the pins 1237 such that the pins 1237 can pivot within the slots1227 but not translate within the slots 1227. The second jaw 1230further comprises an anvil body 1232, a proximal end 1234, and a distalend 1236. Similar to the first jaw 1220, the second jaw 1230 comprisesan internal slot 1238 defined therein which is configured to receive atop cam 1728 of the firing member 1720 during the staple firing stroke.The second jaw 1230 further comprises a cap 1233 attached to the anvilbody 1232 by welds, for example, which enclose the internal longitudinalslot 1238 of the anvil body 1232. During the staple firing stroke, thetop cam 1728 of the firing member 1720 engages the second jaw 1230 andthe bottom cam 1729 engages the first jaw 1220. As a result, the cams1728 and 1729 co-operate to hold the second jaw 1230 in positionrelative to the first jaw 1220.

Referring primarily to FIG. 8, the stapling instrument 1000 furthercomprises a sensor system 1800 configured to assess the position of thefiring member 1720. The sensor system 1800 comprises a cable 1810extending through the shaft 1100 which sheaths at least two conductors,or wires, 1820. The wires 1820 form a circuit with a sensor 1830, suchas an RFID antenna, for example, which is in signal communication with acontroller of the stapling instrument. The firing member 1720 comprisesa detectable member, such as an RFID tag, for example, which isdetectable by the sensor system 1800 when the firing member 1720 is inits proximal, unfired position. When the firing member 1720 is advanceddistally during the staple firing stroke, the RFID tag is no longerdetectable by the sensor system 1800 and the controller can determinethat the staple firing stroke is in process or at least that the staplecartridge 1400 has been at least partially fired. The end effector 1200further comprises a sensor support 1840 which supports the sensor 1830.

A surgical instrument 32000 is illustrated in FIGS. 73 and 74. Similarto the above, the surgical instrument 32000 comprises an end effector32200 and a closure system 32600. The surgical instrument 32000 alsocomprises an end effector articulation system and a staple firingsystem, but these systems are not described herein for the sake ofbrevity. The end effector 32200 comprises a first jaw configured toreceive a staple cartridge and, in addition, a second jaw 32230comprising an anvil rotatably coupled to the first jaw about a pivot32240. The second jaw 32230 is movable from an open, or unclamped,position (FIG. 73) to a closed, or clamped, position (FIG. 74) by theclosure system 32600. The closure system 32600 comprises a rotatabledrive shaft 32610 including a distal end rotatably supported within thefirst jaw by a bearing. The closure system 32600 further comprises aclosure member, or nut, 32620 threadably engaged with a threaded portionof the rotatable drive shaft 32610. When the drive shaft 32610 isrotated in a first direction, the closure member 32620 is drivenproximally to close the end effector 32200 and, when the drive shaft32610 is rotated in a second, or opposite, direction, the closure member32620 is driven distally to open the end effector 32200. The closuresystem 32600 further comprises a closure link 32630 which is pivotallymounted to the closure member 32620 about a pivot 32622 and pivotallymounted to the second jaw 32230 about a pivot 32632. When the closuremember 32620 is driven proximally, the closure link 32630 drives theproximal end 32234 of the second jaw 32230 upwardly to rotate the secondjaw 32230 into its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 74. Notably,the closure link 32630 is driven into an upright position in which thepivot 32632 is in-line with the pivot 32622 and, as a result, theclosure link 32630 is locked in-phase providing a large amount ofclamping force to the tissue captured between the second jaw 32230 andthe first jaw. In this position, the tissue compression surface 32231 ofthe second jaw 32230 is parallel to the tissue support surface of thestaple cartridge; however, this system can be arranged to overclamp thetissue by orienting the compression surface 32231 toward the staplecartridge when the second jaw 32230 is driven closed by the closuredrive system 32600. In any event, the link 32630 rotates quickly at theoutset of the closure stroke as compared to the end of the closurestroke for a given speed of the closure drive shaft 32610. This is dueto the initial orientation of the closure link 32630 being relativelyflat, or substantially in-line with the motion of the closure member32620, and the final orientation of the closure link 32630 beingorthogonal, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the motion ofthe closure member 32620. As a result, the initial motion of the secondjaw 32230 toward the first jaw is fast as compared to the end of theclosure stroke for a given speed of the closure drive shaft 32610. Whenthe closure member 32620 is driven distally, the closure member 32620pulls the proximal end 32234 downwardly via the link 32640 to open thesecond jaw 32230.

A surgical instrument 33000 is illustrated in FIGS. 75 and 76. Thesurgical instrument 33000 comprises an end effector 33200 and a closuresystem 33600. The surgical instrument 33000 also comprises an endeffector articulation system and a staple firing system, but thesesystems are not described herein for the sake of brevity. The endeffector 33200 comprises a first jaw configured to receive a staplecartridge and, in addition, a second jaw 33230 comprising an anvilrotatably coupled to the first jaw about a pivot 33240. The second jaw33230 is movable from an open, or unclamped, position (FIG. 75) to aclosed, or clamped, position (FIG. 76) by the closure system 33600. Theclosure system 33600 comprises a rotatable drive shaft 33610 including adistal end rotatably supported by the first jaw by a bearing. Theclosure system 33600 further comprises a closure member, or nut, 33620threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the rotatable drive shaft33610. When the drive shaft 33610 is rotated in a first direction, theclosure member 33620 is driven proximally to close the end effector33200 and, when the drive shaft 33610 is rotated in a second, oropposite, direction, the closure member 33620 is driven distally toallow the end effector 32200 to be opened. The proximal end 33234 of thesecond jaw 33230 comprises a distal cam surface 33233 and a proximal camsurface 33235 which are sequentially engaged by the closure member 33620during the closing stroke. Notably, the distal cam surface 33233comprises a linear, or an at least substantially linear, angled surface.When the closure member 33620 contacts the distal cam surface 33233, theclosure member 33620 rotates the second jaw 33230 downwardly at a firstrate. Similarly, the proximal cam surface 33235 comprises a linear, oran at least substantially linear, angled surface. When the closuremember 33620 contacts the proximal cam surface 33235, the closure member33620 rotates the second jaw 33230 downwardly at a second rate which isfaster than the first rate. As a result, the initial clamping motion ofthe second jaw 33230 is fast while the final clamping motion of thesecond jaw 33230 is slower. Moreover, the shallower cam angle of theproximal cam surface 33235 allows the second jaw 33230 to apply a largeclamping force to the tissue during the final clamping motion of thesecond jaw 33230. When the closure member 33620 is driven distally, theclosure member 33620 is disengaged from the proximal cam surface 33235and the distal cam surface 33233 such that the second jaw 33230 can beopened. In at least one embodiment, the second jaw 33230 is opened by aspring, for example, and/or by the staple firing system when the firingmember is retracted.

A surgical instrument 34000 is illustrated in FIGS. 77-80. The surgicalinstrument 34000 comprises an end effector 34200 and a closure system34600. The surgical instrument 34000 also comprises an end effectorarticulation system and a staple firing system, but these systems arenot described herein for the sake of brevity. The end effector 34200comprises a first jaw 34220 configured to receive a staple cartridgeand, in addition, a second jaw 34230 comprising an anvil rotatablycoupled to the first jaw 34220 about a pivot 34240. The second jaw 34230is movable from an open, or unclamped, position (FIG. 77) to a closed,or clamped, position (FIG. 78) to an overclamped position (FIG. 79) bythe closure system 34600. The closure system 34600 comprises a rotatabledrive shaft 42610 (FIG. 80) including a distal end rotatably supportedby a bearing in the first jaw. The closure system 34600 furthercomprises a closure member, or nut, 34620 threadably engaged with athreaded portion of the rotatable drive shaft 34610 and a pivotable cam34630 rotatably mounted to the closure member 34620 about a pin 34622.When the drive shaft 34610 is rotated in a first direction, the closuremember 34620 is driven proximally such that a cam surface 34633 definedon the cam 34630 and a cam surface 34625 defined on the closure member34620 sequentially engage the second jaw 34230 to close the end effector34200. The second jaw 34230 comprises a first cam surface 34233 and asecond cam surface 34235 defined thereon which are engaged by the camsurface 34633 and the cam surface 34625, respectively. At the outset ofthe closure stroke, referring to FIG. 78, the cam 34630 engages thefirst cam surface 34233 on the second jaw 34230 to quickly pivot thesecond jaw 34230 into a closed, or clamped, position. At this point,however, the cam surface 34625 defined on the closure member 34620 isnot yet in contact with the second cam surface 34235 defined on thesecond jaw 34230. Further rotation of the closure drive shaft 34610 inthe same direction, however, drives the closure member 34620 proximallyto place the cam surface 34625 into contact with the cam surface 34235on the second jaw 34230. Concurrently, the cam 34630 is cammeddownwardly out of contact with the second jaw 34230. More specifically,referring primarily to FIG. 80, the cam 34630 comprises pins 34632extending laterally therefrom which travel in slots 34222 defined in thefirst jaw 34220 and, owing to the contour of the slots 34222, the cam34630 is pulled downwardly out of contact with the second jaw 34230 asthe closure member 34620 comes into contact with the second jaw 34230.At such point, further rotation of the closure drive shaft 34610 in thesame direction causes the closure member 34620 to drive the second jaw34230 into its overclamped orientation as illustrated in FIG. 79. Inthis condition, the closure member 34620 is wedged between the first jaw34220 and the second jaw 34230 and the position of the second jaw 34230is positively set by the closure member 34620.

When the closure drive shaft 34610 is rotated in a second, or opposite,direction, the closure member 34620 is driven distally to disengage theclosure member 34620 from the second jaw 34230. Moreover, in suchinstances, the pivotable cam 34630 is pivoted upwardly back intoposition owing to the interaction between the pins 34632 and thesidewalls of the slots 34222 in order to reset the cam 34630. Theclosure system 34600 further comprises opening links 34640 which arepivotally mounted to the closure member 34620 about pivot pins 34624 andpivotally mounted to the second jaw 34230 about a pivot 34632. When theclosure member 34620 is driven distally, the opening links 34640 drivethe proximal end 34234 of the second jaw 34230 downwardly to rotate thesecond jaw 34230 into its open position (FIG. 77). Notably, the openinglinks 34640 each comprise a slot 34644 defined therein which permit thepivot pins 34624 to slide within the links 34640 and permit the relativemovement between the opening links 34640 and the closure member 34620during the closure stroke, discussed above.

A surgical instrument 35000 is illustrated in FIGS. 81 and 82. Thesurgical instrument 35000 comprises an end effector 35200, a closuresystem 35600, a staple firing system 34700, and an end effectorarticulation system. Similar to the end effector 34200, the end effector35200 comprises a first jaw 34220 and a second jaw 34230. The first jaw34220 is configured to receive a staple cartridge 34400, or any othersuitable staple cartridge. The second jaw 34230 is pivotable relative tothe first jaw 34220 about a pivot 34240 between an open position and aclosed position by the closure system 35600. The closure system 35600comprises a rotatable drive shaft 35610 and a closure member, or nut,35620 threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the drive shaft35610. When the drive shaft 35610 is rotated in a first direction, theclosure member 35620 is driven proximally into contact with the secondjaw 34230 to close the second jaw 34230. The closure system 35600further comprises an opening link 35460 rotatably mounted to the closuremember 35620 about a pin 35622 extending into a slot 35642 defined inthe opening link 35460. The opening link 35460 is also pivotably mountedto the second jaw 35230 about a pin 25232 such that, when the driveshaft 35610 is rotated in an opposite direction and the closure member35620 is driven distally, the closure member 35630 pulls the second jaw35230 into an open position by pulling on the opening link 35460.Notably, the closure member 35630 applies an opening force to the secondjaw 34230 at a different location than which it applies the closingforce. Once the second jaw 35230 has been closed, or at least suitablyclosed, a rotatable drive shaft 34710 of the staple firing system 34700that is driven to perform a staple firing stroke in accordance with amanner described elsewhere herein.

A surgical instrument 36000 is illustrated in FIGS. 83-86. The surgicalinstrument 36000 comprises an end effector 36200, a closure system36600, a staple firing system 36700, and an end effector articulationsystem. The end effector 36200 comprises a first jaw 36220 and a secondjaw 36230. The first jaw 36220 is configured to receive a staplecartridge while the second jaw 36230 is pivotable relative to the firstjaw 36220 about a pivot 36240 between an open position and a closedposition by the closure system 36600. The closure system 36600 comprisesa rotatable drive shaft 36610 and a closure member, or nut, 36620threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the drive shaft 36610.When the drive shaft 36610 is rotated in a first direction, the closuremember 36620 is driven proximally into contact with a cam surface 36235defined on the second jaw 36230 to close the second jaw 36230, asillustrated in FIGS. 83 and 84. The surgical instrument 36000 furthercomprises an opening member 36630 configured to bias the second jaw36230 into an open position. The opening member 36630 is pushed againstthe second jaw 36320 by an opening spring 36640 positioned intermediatethe opening member 36630 and the frame of the end effector 36200. As aresult, the proximal motion of the closure member 36620 opposes, andovercomes, the opening force being applied to the second jaw 36320 bythe opening member 36630 as the closure member 36620 closes the secondjaw 36230. When the closure member 36620 is driven distally, however,the opening force being applied to the second jaw 36320 by the openingmember 36630 can push the second jaw 36230 open. In some instances,however, the opening force being applied by the opening member 36630 maynot be sufficient to open, or at least sufficiently open, the second jaw36230, as illustrated in FIG. 85. Such instances can arise when thespring constant of the opening spring 36640 is low. In any event,referring to FIG. 86, the continued distal movement of the closuremember 36320 brings the closure member 36320 into contact with theopening member 36630 and drives the opening member 36630 to positivelyopen the second jaw 36230. As a result, the retraction of the closuremember 36620 can unstick the second jaw 36230 when the opening spring36640 isn't strong enough to push the second jaw 36230 open.

Referring again to FIGS. 83-86, the staple firing system 36700 comprisesa rotatable drive shaft. The staple firing system 36700 comprises anI-beam portion 36720, a threaded portion 36730, and a sled portion36740. The threaded portion 36730 is threadably coupled to the firingdrive shaft and the I-beam portion 36720 is fixedly mounted to thethreaded portion 36730. As a result, the I-beam portion 36720 moves withthe threaded portion 36730 when the threaded portion 36730 is drivenproximally and distally by the firing drive shaft. Moreover, the I-beamportion 36720 and the threaded portion 36730 co-operate to hold thefirst jaw 36220 and the second jaw 36230 in position relative to oneanother during the staple firing stroke. More specifically, the threadedportion 36730 comprises a first cam 36739 which engages the first jaw36220 and the I-beam portion 36720 comprises a second cam 36729 whichengages the second jaw 36230 during the staple firing stroke. The firstjaw 36220 comprises an internal slot 36229 defined therein configured toreceive the first cam 36739 and, similarly, the second jaw 36230comprises an internal slot 36239 defined therein configured to receivethe second cam 36729. The staple firing system 36700 further comprises asled 36740 which is pushed distally by the threaded portion 36730. Thesled 36740 is configured to engage the staple drivers contained within astaple cartridge and drive the staples out of the staple cartridgeduring the staple firing stroke. The I-beam portion 36720 comprises aknife edge 36750 which is configured to cut the tissue being stapled.Notably, the knife edge 36750 is positioned proximally behind the sled36740 such that the knife edge 36750 does not cut unstapled tissue. Inany event, the sled 36740 is not attached to the threaded portion 36730and, as a result, the sled 36740 does not return proximally with theI-beam portion 36720 and the threaded portion 36370 when the threadedportion 36370 is driven proximally after the staple firing stroke.Instead, the sled 36740 is left behind wherever the staple firing strokeends.

A staple firing system 37700 of a stapling instrument 37000 isillustrated in FIGS. 87-90. Similar to the staple firing system 36700,the staple firing system 37700 comprises an I-beam portion 37720, athreaded portion 37730, and a sled portion 37740. The threaded portion37730 is threadably coupled to the firing drive shaft via a threadedaperture 37732 and the I-beam portion 37720 is fixedly mounted to thethreaded portion 37730. Referring primarily to FIG. 89, the I-beamportion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 comprise interlocking tabs37724 and 37734, respectively, which secure the I-beam portion 33720 tothe threaded portion 37730. In at least one instance, the interlockingtabs 37724 and 37734 are press-fit into an interlocking relationship. Asa result, the I-beam portion 37720 moves with the threaded portion 37730when the threaded portion 37730 is driven proximally and distally by thefiring drive shaft.

Similar to the above, the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion37730 co-operate to hold the first jaw 36220 and the second jaw 36230 inposition relative to one another during the staple firing stroke. Morespecifically, the threaded portion 37730 comprises a first cam 37739which engages the first jaw 36220 and the I-beam portion 37720 comprisesa second cam 37729 which engages the second jaw 36230 during the staplefiring stroke. The first jaw 36220 comprises an internal slot 36229defined therein configured to receive the first cam 37739 and,similarly, the second jaw 36230 comprises an internal slot 36239 definedtherein configured to receive the second cam 37729. When the assemblycomprising the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 is inits proximal, unfired position (FIG. 87), the first cam 37739 is atleast partially positioned in the first internal slot 36229 and thesecond cam 37729 is positioned in an enlarged chamber 36237 defined inthe second jaw 36230 that leads into the second internal slot 36239. Theenlarged chamber 36237 permits the second jaw 36230 to be opened andclosed without interference from the I-beam portion 37720. Moreover, theI-beam portion 37720 comprises a notch, or recess, 37722 defined thereinwhich is configured to receive a pivot pin 36242 connecting the secondjaw 36230 to the first jaw 36220 when the I-beam portion 37720 is in itsproximal-most position. The notch 37722 permits the I-beam portion 37720to be in a very proximal position which can, as described above, provideclearance for the pivotable second jaw 36230 and also allow the endeffector 37200 to be shorter thereby allowing the end effector 37200 tobe inserted into smaller spaces. In fact, the sidewall of the notch37722 can be in contact with the pivot pin 36242 when the I-beam portion37720 is in its proximal unfired position.

Further to the above, referring primarily to FIG. 88, the staple firingsystem 37700 further comprises a sled 37740 which is mounted to thethreaded portion 37730 such that the sled 37740 travels distally andproximally with the threaded portion 37730 during the staple firingstroke and the retraction stroke, respectively. In use, referringprimarily to FIG. 87, a replaceable staple cartridge, such as staplecartridge 37400, for example is positioned over the sled 37740 when thestaple cartridge 37400 is seated in the first jaw 36220. The staplecartridge 37400 comprises a cartridge body 37420 (FIG. 87), staples37410 (FIG. 88) removably stored in the cartridge body 37420, and stapledrivers 37430 positioned within the cartridge body 37420 which supportand drive the staples 37410 toward the anvil portion of the second jaw36230 during the staple firing stroke. The sled 37740 comprises ramps37742 defined thereon which engage the staple drivers 37430 to lift thestaples 37410 toward the second jaw 36230. Notably, the staple cartridge37400 further comprises a sled portion 37440 which is stored within thecartridge body 37420 and pushed distally by the I-beam portion 37720during the staple firing stroke. The sled portion 37440 comprises ramps37442 which align with the ramps 37742 on the sled 37740 at the outsetof the staple firing stroke and co-operate with the ramps 37742 to fullydrive the staple drivers 37430 and fully form, or fire, the staples37410 during the staple firing stroke. As will be described in greaterdetail below in connection with different embodiments, the sled portion37440 comprises a tissue cutting knife 37452 that rotates between anundeployed position in which the knife edge of the tissue cutting knife37452 is positioned below the deck, or top surface, of the cartridgebody 37420—as illustrated in FIG. 87, and a deployed position in whichthe knife edge extends above the deck. The tissue cutting knife isrotated about a pivot 37452 by the firing assembly when the firingassembly contacts, or picks up, the sled portion 37440 at the outset ofthe staple firing stroke. Notably, the sled portion 37440 in the staplecartridge 37400 is not retracted with the sled 37740 during theretraction stroke. Instead, the sled portion 37440 is left behind at theend of the staple firing stroke. The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. No.10,105,142, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH PLURALITY OF CUTTINGELEMENTS, which issued on Oct. 23, 2018, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,835,entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EJECTION OF SURGICALFASTENERS FROM CARTRIDGES, which issued on Oct. 17, 2017, areincorporated by reference herein.

As described above in connection with FIGS. 83 and 84, and now inconnection with FIGS. 144,144A, 145, and 145A, the closure member 36620of the closure drive 36600 is driven proximally into contact with a camsurface 36235 defined on the second jaw 36230 to close the second jaw36230. As also described above, and referring to FIG. 146, a firingassembly including the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion37730 is driven distally during the staple firing stroke such that thecam 37739 travels within the longitudinal slot 36229 defined in thefirst jaw 36220 and the cam 37729 travels within the longitudinal slot36239. In various instances, the second jaw 36230 is closed by theclosure system 36600 and then the staple firing system 37700 isactuated. In such instances, the end effector closing operation and thestaple firing operation are performed sequentially. In other instances,both the end effector closing system and the staple firing system areoperated at the same time. In at least one such instance, the endeffector closing system is used to close the second jaw 36230 and thenthe staple firing system is used to fire the staples from the staplecartridge 37400. During the staple firing stroke, however, the endeffector closing system is also actuated to decrease and/or maintain thedistance, or tissue gap, between the second jaw 36230 and the staplecartridge 37400 during the staple firing stroke. In at least oneinstance, the end effector jaw closure system 37600 is used to move thesecond jaw 36320 into an overclamped position, i.e., an orientation inwhich the second jaw 36320 is tipped toward, or past parallel withrespect to, the staple cartridge 36400 during the staple firing stroke.FIGS. 147-149 illustrate the progression of the second jaw 36230 from anopen position (FIG. 147), a parallel clamped position (FIG. 148), and anoverclamped position (FIG. 149). In FIG. 148, the tissue gap between thebottom, or tissue compression surface, of the second jaw 36230 and thetop surface, or deck, of the staple cartridge 36400 is the same, or atleast substantially the same, between the proximal end and the distalend of the end effector 37200. In this instance, the tissue gap distanceis approximately 6 mm, for example, but any suitable tissue gap distancecould be used. In FIG. 149, it can be seen that the distal end 36234 ofthe second jaw 36230 is closer to the distal end 37424 than the parallelposition of FIG. 148 indicating an overclamped position. In thisinstance, the second jaw 36230 is overclamped by approximately 3degrees, for example, but any suitable amount of overclamping could beused. Placing the second jaw 36230 in an overclamped position can allowthe second jaw 36230 to resist opening forces created by the stapledeformation and/or compensate for internal deflection of the second jaw36230 during the staple firing stroke.

The above-provided discussion is graphically depicted in the graph 37900of FIG. 150. The graph 37900 comprises a bottom portion 37980 whichdepicts the motion of the closure drive 36600 and the staple firingdrive 37700 and a top portion 37990 which depicts the force loadsexperienced by the closure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive37700. With regard to the top portion 37990 of the graph 37900, theforce load within the closure drive 36600 is depicted by trace 36690 andthe force load within the firing drive 37700 is depicted by trace 37790.In fact, the trace 36690 splits into a first portion 36690′ to depictthe scenario when the closure drive 36600 is not actuated during thestaple firing stroke and a second portion 36690″ to depict the scenariowhen the closure drive 36600 is actuated during the staple firingstroke. These two different operational scenarios of the closure drive36600 are reflected in two different operational scenarios within thetrace 37790 of the staple firing drive 37700. More specifically, thetrace 37790 splits into a first portion 37790′ which corresponds to thefirst portion 36690′ of the closure drive and a second portion 37790″which corresponds to the second portion 37790″. The first portion 37790′depicts that the staple firing load is higher when the closure drive36600 is not actuated during the staple firing stroke and the secondportion 37790″ depicts that the staple firing load is lower when theclosure drive 36600 is actuated during the staple firing stroke. To thisend, operating the closure drive 36600 during the staple firing strokeis also reflected in the bottom portion 37980 of the graph 37900. Themotion of the second jaw 36230 is depicted by the motion trace 36680which, similar to the above, splits into a first portion 36680′ whichcorresponds to the force traces 36690′ and 37790′, discussed above, anda second portion 36680″ which corresponds to the force traces 36690″ and37790″, also discussed above. When the closure drive 36600 is notoperated during the staple firing stroke, the second jaw 36230 ismaintained in a parallel, or an at least substantially parallel,orientation as depicted by the motion trace 36680′. When the closuredrive 36600 is operated during the staple firing stroke, the second jaw36230 is moved into an overclamped orientation as depicted by the motiontrace 36680″. Notably, these two operational possibilities are notreflected in the motion trace 37780 of the staple firing drive 37700.Stated another way, the motion of the staple firing drive 37700 can beindependent of the operation of the closure drive 36600.

In various instances, further to the above, the staple firing drive37700 can be used to close the second jaw 36230. In at least one suchinstance, the staple firing drive 37700 can be used to advance thefiring assembly distally such that the cams 37729 and 37739 co-operateto pull the second jaw 36230 toward its closed position at the same timethat the closure drive 36600 is being operated to close the second jaw36230. In at least one other instance, the staple firing drive 37700 canbe used to advance the firing assembly distally to close the second jaw36230 without the assistance of the closure drive 36600. Given that theclosure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive 37700 can be operatedsequentially and/or at the same time, the closure drive 36600 and thestaple firing drive 37700 are each operated by a separate electricmotor. In at least one instance, the stapling instrument 37000 isattached to a robotic surgical instrument comprising a first electricmotor for driving the closure drive 36600 and a second electric motorfor driving the staple firing drive 37700. In at least one otherinstance, the stapling instrument 37000 comprises a handheld staplinginstrument including a handle comprising a first electric motor operablyengaged with the closure drive 36600 and a second electric motoroperably engaged with the staple firing drive 37700.

An end effector 49200 of a surgical instrument 49000 is illustrated inFIGS. 151 and 152. The end effector 49200 comprises a first jaw 49220and a second jaw 49230 pivotably attached to the first jaw 49220. Thesurgical instrument 49000 further comprises an articulation joint aboutwhich the end effector 49200 can be rotated. Various articulation jointsare described elsewhere herein. The various configurations, or closurestates, of the end effector 49200 are depicted at the top of FIG. 153.The second jaw 49230 is movable between an open position by a closuredrive 49600 in which there is an approximately 30 degree angle, or jawaperture, for example, between the jaws 49220 and 49230, a partiallyclosed position, a parallel position, and an overclamped position inwhich there is approximately −1 to −3 degree angle, for example, betweenthe jaws 49220 and 49230. The fully-open position of the second jaw49220 establishes an operating condition 49610, the closing of thesecond jaw 49220 establishes an operating condition 49620, the parallelposition of the second jaw 49230 establishes an operating condition49630, and the overclamped position of the second jaw 49220 establishesan operating condition 49640. The closure drive 49600 comprises anelectric motor which is controlled by a control system of the surgicalinstrument 49000. The closure drive 49600 comprises a closure memberwhich, similar to the above, is retracted proximally by the closuremotor to close the second jaw 49230. The distance in which the closuremember is retracted is depicted by the trace 49680 and the motion of theclosure member corresponds to the closure states of the end effector49200 depicted at the top of FIG. 153. Notably, the closure system 49600enters into a wait period, or dwell, once the second jaw 49230 hasreached its parallel position during the operating condition 49630.Similarly, the closure system 49600 enters into a wait period, or dwell,in operating condition 49650. The second jaw 49230 is then opened duringoperating condition 49660.

The surgical instrument 49000 further comprises a staple firing system49700 and an articulation drive system 49800. The staple firing system49700 and the articulation drive system 49800 are operated by the sameelectric motor which is shifted between a first operating state to drivethe articulation drive system 49800 and a second operating state todrive the staple firing system 49700. In various instances, the electricmotor comprises a transmission which is electronically shifted and/ormechanically shifted to place the electric motor in its first operatingstate and its second operating state. During the operating conditions49610 and 49620, the electric motor is in its first operating state and,as a result, the end effector 49200 is articulatable while it is openand/or while it is being closed. Once the end effector 49200 is closedin operating condition 49630, however, the electric motor is shiftedinto its second operating state. In such instances, the end effector49200 is locked into its articulated position, whatever that may be, andthen the electric motor is powered down. By locking the end effector49200 into position before powering down the electric motor, suddenjerking movements of the end effector 49200 can be prevented. Statedanother way, if the end effector 49200 is experiencing resistance to itsarticulation from the tissue T, for example, and the electric motor ispowered down before the end effector 49200 is locked in position, theend effector 49200 may unexpectedly articulate, or de-articulate. Thefull-powered condition of the articulation system 49800 is depicted bycondition 49810 in FIG. 153 and the ramp-down condition of thearticulation system 49800 is depicted by condition 49820.

Once the electric motor is shifted into its second condition, the staplefiring drive 49700 is actuatable to perform a staple firing stroke. Thestaple firing drive 49700 comprises a firing member which is advanceddistally during the staple firing stroke and then retracted proximallyafter the staple firing stroke. The motion of the firing member isdepicted by the motion trace 49780 in FIG. 153. Moreover, FIG. 153depicts that the electric motor is powered up during operating condition49710 before the staple firing system 49700 is unlocked and then poweredto perform the staple firing stroke during operating condition 49730.The force load experienced by the firing member is depicted by the forcetrace 49790 which shows that the firing member experiences a high loadduring the staple firing stroke and then a much lower load as the firingmember is being retracted during operating condition 49730. After thefiring member has been retracted, the staple firing system 49700 islocked and the electric motor is then powered down during the operatingcondition 49740. Similar to the above, locking the firing drive beforede-powering the electric motor reduces the possibility of sudden jerkswithin the staple firing system 49700. At such point, the electric motoris switched back into its first operating state, the electric motor isre-powered, and the articulation drive system 49800 is unlocked duringan operating state 49830. Notably, the operating state 49830 in whichthe end effector 49200 can be articulated and the operating state 49660in which the end effector 49200 can be opened overlap.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 49000 comprises one ormore position sensors to determine the position of the closure member ofthe closure system 49600 and/or the position of the second jaw 49230.The surgical instrument 49000 further comprises one or more positionsensors to determine the position of the firing member of the staplefiring system 49700. The surgical instrument 49000 comprises an electriccircuit configured to assess the current drawn by the electric motor ofthe closure drive system 49600 to evaluate the force load experienced bythe closure member of the closure drive system 49600. The surgicalinstrument 49000 further comprises an electric circuit configured toassess the current drawn by the second electric motor used to drive thestaple firing system 49700 to assess the firing load experienced by thefiring member of the staple firing system 49700. All of these sensorsand circuits are in communication with the control system of thesurgical instrument 49000. With this information, the control system candetermine when certain operational states have been reached. Forinstance, when the control system determines that the second jaw 49230has reached its parallel position, the control system can stop theclosure motor as part of the operational state 49630. At such point, thecontrol system can monitor the force load within the closure drivesystem 49600 until the force load falls below a threshold and, at thatpoint, determine that the operational state 49630 is over and signal tothe user of the surgical instrument 49000 that an optimal condition forperforming the staple firing stroke has been reached.

As discussed above, the electric motor used to drive the articulationdrive system 49800 and the firing drive system 49700 is shiftablebetween a first operating state and a second operating state. In atleast one embodiment, the closure drive 49600 can be used to shift thiselectric motor between its first and second operating states. The entiredisclosures of International Patent Publication WO2015/153642, entitledSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, which published on Oct.8, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,726, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROLSYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which issued on May 31,2016, are incorporated by reference herein.

A staple firing system 38700 is illustrated in FIGS. 91-96. The staplefiring system 38700 comprises a rotatable drive shaft and a firingmember threadably engaged with the drive shaft. The staple firing system38700 further comprises a drive portion 38730 and a sled portion 38740.The sled portion 38740 comprises at least one push surface 38741 definedon the proximal side thereof which is contacted by the firing memberwhen the firing member is advanced distally during a staple firingstroke. The sled portion 38740 also becomes attached to the firingmember by lock arms 38734 when the firing member is moved distally intocontact with the sled portion 38740. At least initially, the sledportion 38740 moves relative to the drive portion 38370. At such point,as described in greater detail below, the sled portion 38740 and thedrive portion 38370 are advanced distally together such that ramps 38742defined on the sled portion 38740 fire the staples from the staplecartridge during the staple firing stroke. The staple firing system38700 further comprises a tissue cutting knife 38750 rotatably mountedto the drive portion 38730 about a pivot pin 38752.

The tissue cutting knife 38750 is rotatable between an undeployedposition (FIG. 94) and a deployed position (FIG. 93) at the outset ofthe staple firing stroke. The sled portion 38740 is movable distallyrelative to the drive portion 38730, at least initially, until a camsurface 38746 defined in the sled portion 38740 contacts the tissuecutting knife 38750, as illustrated in FIG. 93, and rotates the tissuecutting knife 38750 upwardly into its deployed position. The cam surface38746 is curved, or arcuate, to facilitate the rotation of the tissuecutting knife 38750 about the pivot pin 38752, although any suitableconfiguration could be used. When the tissue cutting knife 38750contacts a shoulder 38748 defined on the sled portion 38740, the tissuecutting knife 38750 stops rotating and, instead, the distal motion ofthe sled portion 38740 is transferred to the drive portion 38730 throughthe tissue cutting knife 38750. At such point, the drive portion 38730and the sled portion 38740 translate distally together to perform thestaple firing stroke with the tissue cutting knife 38750 in its deployedposition. In fact, the sled portion 38740 holds the tissue cutting knife38750 in its deployed position during the staple firing stroke. Notably,a knife edge 38751 of the tissue cutting knife 38750 extends above thesled portion 38740 when the tissue cutting knife 38750 is in itsdeployed position (FIG. 93) and does not extend above the sled portion38740 when the tissue cutting knife 38750 is in its undeployed position(FIG. 94).

At the end of the staple firing stroke, or after the staple firingstroke has been stopped, further to the above, the rotatable drive shaftis rotated in the opposite direction and the firing member of the staplefiring system 38700 is driven in the opposite direction. When the firingmember is retracted, the firing member pulls the sled portion 38740proximally owing to the lock arms 38734 attaching the sled portion 38740to the firing member. That said, the initial retraction motion of thefiring member and the sled portion 38740 does not translate the driveportion 38730 proximally. Instead, the initial retraction motion of thesled portion 38740 rotates the tissue cutting knife 38750 back down intoits undeployed position, as illustrated in FIG. 94. Thereafter,referring to FIGS. 95 and 96, the proximal movement of sled portion38740 stops owing to the detachment of the sled portion 38740 from thefiring member. More specifically, the proximal-extending stop arms 38744of the sled portion 38740 engage the cartridge body 38420 and preventthe sled portion 38740 from being retracted with the firing member. Atsuch point, the lock arms 38734 of the sled portion 38740 decouple fromthe firing member leaving the sled portion 38740 and the drive portion38730 in their fired positions. Such an arrangement prevents the spentstaple cartridge 38400 from being used again. As a result, the spentstaple cartridge 38400 must be replaced with an unspent staple cartridgein order to use the surgical instrument once again. That said, otherspent cartridge lockout systems could be used which could permit thereturn of the sled portion 38740 after the staple firing stroke so longas a spent staple cartridge could not be re-fired.

A staple firing system 39700 is illustrated in FIGS. 97-103. The staplefiring system 39700 comprises a firing bar 39720 which is translatabledistally through a staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 39400, forexample, to perform a staple firing stroke. The firing bar 39720comprises a first cam 39278 which engages a first jaw and a second cam39279 which engages a second jaw during the staple firing stroke to holdthe first and second jaws together. The staple firing system 39700further comprises a sled 39740 which is pushed distally by the firingbar 39720 during the staple firing stroke. The sled 39740 comprises aproximal push surface 39741 which is contacted by a distal push surface39271 on the firing bar 39720. The sled 39740 further comprises acentral body 39743 and ramps 39742 extending from the central body39743.

Further to the above, the staple firing system 39700 further comprises atissue cutting knife 39750 and a knife retractor 39730. The tissuecutting knife 39750 comprises a base 39754 positioned within a recess39744 defined in the sled 39740 and a knife body 39753 including a knifeedge 39751. The knife retractor 39730 comprises lock arms 39732 whichengage shoulders 39722 defined in the firing bar 39720 and a cross-bar39733 connecting the distal ends of the lock arms 39732. Referring toFIG. 98, the sled 39740, the tissue cutting knife 39750, and the kniferetractor 39730 are stored in a cartridge body 39420 of the staplecartridge 39400 such that, when the staple cartridge 39400 is insertedinto the first jaw, the lock arms 39732 of the knife retractor 39730attach to the firing bar 39720 and the knife body 39753 of the tissuecutting knife 39750 abuts a distal push surface 39723 (FIG. 97) definedon the firing bar 39720. At this point, the knife edge 39731 extendsabove the top surface, or deck, of the cartridge body 39420, but iscovered by rails 39425 extending upwardly from the cartridge body 39420such that the knife edge 39731 is not exposed when the staple firingsystem 39700 is in its unfired condition.

When the staple firing system 39700 is advanced distally to perform thestaple firing stroke, referring to FIG. 99, the firing bar 39720contacts and pushes the sled 39740 and the tissue cutting knife 39750distally. Notably, referring to FIG. 100, the sled 39740 passes over aprojection 39222 extending from the first jaw at the outset of thestaple firing stroke. The projection 39222 comprises a proximal-facingramp that permits the sled 39740 to pass thereover. Throughout thestaple firing stroke, the knife retractor 39730 extends in front of thetissue cutting knife 39750. After the staple firing stroke has beencompleted, or is otherwise stopped, referring to FIG. 101, the firingbar 39720 is retracted to its unfired position. In such instances, theknife retractor 39730 contacts the tissue cutting knife 39750 to pullthe tissue cutting knife 39750 and the sled 39740 proximally. Notably,the base 39754 of the tissue cutting knife 39750 initially slides withinthe sled recess 39744 when the tissue cutting knife 39750 is pulledproximally, i.e., until the knife base 39754 contacts the proximal endof the sled recess 39744. At such point, the tissue cutting knife 39750and the sled 39740 move proximally together until the sled 39740 reachesthe projection 39222 extending from the first jaw, as illustrated inFIG. 102. The projection 39222 stops the proximal movement of the sled39740 and, as a result, the continued proximal retraction of the firingbar 39720 rotates the tissue cutting knife 39750 proximally until thetissue cutting knife 39750 is completely retracted below the deck of thecartridge body 39420. At such point, the spent staple cartridge 39400can be safely removed from the first jaw and replaced with anotherstaple cartridge.

A stapling instrument 40000 comprising a staple cartridge 40400 and astaple firing system 40700 is illustrated in FIGS. 104-113. Referringprimarily to FIG. 104, the staple firing system 40700 comprises a firingbar 40720, a sled 40740 movable distally by the firing bar 40720 duringa staple firing stroke, and a tissue cutting knife 40750 rotatablymounted to the sled 40740 about a pivot 40752. That said, the sled 40740and the tissue cutting knife 40750 are positioned in the staplecartridge 40400 and are presented in front of the firing bar 40720 whenthe staple cartridge 40400 is seated in the stapling instrument 40000.When the firing bar 40720 is advanced distally to perform a staplefiring stroke, as illustrated in FIG. 105, the firing bar 40720 contactsthe tissue cutting knife 40750. As the firing bar 40720 is moved furtherdistally, referring to FIGS. 106 and 107, the firing bar 40720 rotatesthe tissue cutting knife 40750 from an undeployed position (FIGS. 104and 105) to a deployed position in which the knife edge 40751 of thetissue cutting knife 40750 is exposed above the top, or deck, of acartridge body 40420 of the staple cartridge 40400. The tissue cuttingknife 40750 comprises an arcuate cam surface 40754 defined on theproximal side thereof which is contacted by an arcuate cam recess 40724defined in the firing bar 40720 which rotates the tissue cutting knife40750 into its deployed position. When the tissue cutting knife 40750 isin its deployed position, as illustrated in FIG. 107, a lock tab 40753extending from the tissue cutting knife 40750 is received in a lockrecess, or catch, 40723 defined in the firing bar 40720 which stops therotation of the tissue cutting knife 40750 in its deployed position.Moreover, a stop tab 40755 extending from the tissue cutting knife 40750is seated on a top surface 40745 of the sled 40740 when the tissuecutting knife 40750 is in its deployed position. In any event, at suchpoint, referring to FIG. 108, the firing bar 40720 can push the tissuecutting knife 40740 and the sled 40750 through the staple firing stroke.Referring to FIG. 113, a center portion 40743 of the sled 40740 and abottom portion of the tissue cutting knife 40750 travel within alongitudinal slot 40423 defined in the cartridge body 40420 of thestaple cartridge 40400.

After the staple firing stroke, or after the staple firing stroke hasbeen stopped, referring to FIGS. 109-112, the firing bar 40720 can beretracted into its unfired position. In such instances, the firing bar40720 pulls proximally on the lock tab 40753 of the tissue cutting knife40750 which causes the tissue cutting knife 40750 to rotate toward itsundeployed position. The cartridge body 40420 of the staple cartridge40400 comprises angled ridges 40425 extending into the longitudinal slot40423 which are configured to guide the tissue cutting knife 40750 backinto its retracted position when the firing bar 40720 is retractedproximally. The tissue cutting knife 40750 comprises pins 40752extending from the lateral sides thereof which engage the ridges 40425when the tissue cutting knife 40750 is rotated backwards into thelongitudinal slot 40423. Moreover, in various embodiments, theengagement between the pins 40752 and the ridges 40425 can prevent thetissue cutting knife 40750 from being retracted proximally altogether.In such instances, referring to FIG. 112, the firing bar 40720 becomesdecoupled from the tissue cutting knife 40750 and, as a result, thefiring bar 40720 does not retract the tissue cutting knife 40750 and thesled 40740. Instead, the tissue cutting knife 40750 and the sled 40740remain in their fired position, but with the tissue cutting knife 40750in its undeployed position which permits the spent staple cartridge40400 to be safely removed from the stapling instrument 40000.

A stapling instrument 41000 comprising an end effector 41200 and astaple firing system 41700 is illustrated in FIGS. 114-120. Referringprimarily to FIG. 114, the end effector 41200 comprises a first jaw41220 and, in addition, a second jaw 41230 rotatably mounted to thefirst jaw 41220. The second jaw 41230 is rotatable between an open,unclamped position (FIG. 114) and a closed, clamped position (FIG. 115)by a closure system of the stapling instrument 41000. The first jaw41220 comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein which is configuredto receive a portion of the staple firing system 41700. Similarly, thesecond jaw 41230 comprises a longitudinal slot 41239 defined thereinwhich is configured to receive a portion of the staple firing system41700. The first jaw 41220 is configured to receive a staple cartridge41400 therein which comprises a cartridge body 41420, staples removablystored in staple cavities defined in the cartridge body 41420, andstaple drivers movably positioned in the cartridge body 41420 which areconfigured to eject the staples out of the cartridge body 41420 during astaple firing stroke.

The staple firing system 41700 comprises a rotatable drive shaft 41710and a firing nut 41720 threadably engaged with a threaded portion of thedrive shaft 41710. Similar to the above, the firing nut 41720 isadvanced distally when the drive shaft 41710 is rotated in a firstdirection and retracted proximally when the drive shaft 41710 is rotatedin a second, or opposite, direction. The staple firing system 41700further comprises a clamping member 41730, a sled 41740 movable distallyduring the staple firing stroke to push the staple drivers and thestaples toward staple forming pockets defined in the second jaw 41230,and a tissue cutting knife 41750 rotatably mounted to the sled 41740.Referring primarily to FIG. 114, the clamping member 41730 is retainedin the second jaw, or anvil, 41230. More specifically, lateral cams41739 extending from the clamping member 41730 are contained in thelongitudinal slot 41239 defined in the second jaw 41230 such that theclamping member 41730 moves with the second jaw 41230. Thus, when thesecond jaw 41230 is in an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 114, theclamping member 41730 is in an elevated position and, when the secondjaw 41230 is in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 115, theclamping member 41730 is in a lowered position. When the clamping member41730 is in its elevated position, the clamping member 41730 is notengaged with the firing nut 41720. When the clamping member 41730 is inits lowered position, however, the clamping member 41730 is engaged withthe firing nut 41720. When the clamping member 41730 is in its loweredposition, the firing nut 41720 and the clamping member 41730 can beadvanced distally to perform a staple firing stroke. The entiredisclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249928,entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS, which published on Sep. 1, 2016, and U.S.Patent Publication No. 2018/0168650, entitled CONNECTION PORTIONS FORDISPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichpublished on Jun. 21, 2018, are incorporated by reference herein.

Further to the above, the clamping member 41730 comprises a recess 41732defined therein which is configured to receive a top portion 41722 ofthe firing nut 41720 when the clamping member 41730 is lowered onto thefiring nut 41720, as illustrated in FIG. 115. Moreover, the clampingmember 41730 further comprises a hook 41734 which is received in arecess 41754 defined in the tissue cutting knife 41750 when the clampingmember 41730 is lowered onto the firing nut 41720. When the firing nut41720 is advanced distally, referring to FIGS. 116 and 117, the firingnut 41720 pushes the clamping member 41730 distally which abuts the sled41740 to push the sled 41740 through the staple firing stroke. Theclamping member 41730 also abuts the tissue cutting knife 41750 tosupport the tissue cutting knife 41750 during the staple firing strokeand prevent the tissue cutting knife 41750 from rotating backward, orproximally, when the tissue cutting knife 41750 is cutting the tissue.When the drive shaft 41710 is rotated in the opposite direction,referring to FIG. 118, the firing nut 41720 is driven proximally whichpushes the clamping member 41730 proximally. In such instances, the hook41734 of the clamping member 41730 contacts the proximal end of thetissue cutting knife 41750 which rotates the tissue cutting knife 41750backwardly so that the clamping member 41730 can decouple from thetissue cutting knife 41750. At such point, referring to FIG. 119, thefiring nut 41720 and the clamping member 41730 are returned back totheir proximal, unfired positions while the sled 41740 and the tissuecutting knife 41750 remain behind in their fired positions. Notably, theknife edge 41751 of the tissue cutting knife 41750 is extending abovethe deck, or top, of the cartridge body 41420 when the tissue cuttingknife 41750 is left behind; however, in other embodiments, the knifeedge 41751 is recessed entirely below the deck of the cartridge body41420 when the tissue cutting knife 41750 is rotated backwardly. In anyevent, referring to FIG. 120, the second jaw 41230 can be re-opened oncethe firing nut 41720 and the clamping member 41730 have been returned totheir proximal, unfired position.

As discussed above, the sled 41740 and the tissue cutting knife 41750are left behind in their fired positions after the staple firing stroke,or after the staple firing stroke is stopped. In some instances, thetissue cutting knife 41750 may not decouple from the clamping member41730. FIG. 121 illustrates an embodiment which can assist in holdingthe sled 41740 and the tissue cutting knife 41750 in their firedpositions. FIG. 121 illustrates a staple cartridge 42400 and a jaw 42220configured to receive the staple cartridge 42400. The jaw 42220comprises a bottom support 42225 and two lateral up-standing walls42223. The staple cartridge 42400 comprises a cartridge body 42420 thatis positioned between the lateral walls 42223 and, in addition, a sled42440 translatable within the cartridge body 42420. The cartridge body42420 comprises staple cavities defined therein with staples removablystored in the staple cavities. The cartridge body 42420 furthercomprises a longitudinal slot 42426 defined therein which is configuredto receive a central portion 42446 of the sled 42440. The cartridge body42420 further comprises projections 42429 which extend inwardly from thesidewalls of the longitudinal slot 42426 which can inhibit or preventthe proximal movement of the sled 42440. More specifically, eachprojection 42429 comprises a proximal-facing ramp which permits the sled42440 to pass thereby during the staple firing stroke and adistal-facing shoulder which stops the proximal movement of the sled42440. The projections 42429 are arranged longitudinally within thelongitudinal slot 42426 such that a projection 42429 can stop theproximal movement of the sled 42440 regardless of where the staplefiring stroke is stopped.

Further to the above, referring again to FIG. 121, the cartridge body42420 also comprises longitudinal slots 42427 defined therein which areconfigured to receive the lateral staple-deploying ramps 42447 of thesled 42440. Similar to the above, the cartridge body 42420 furthercomprises projections 42426 which extend inwardly from the sidewalls ofthe longitudinal slots 42427 which can inhibit or prevent the proximalmovement of the sled 42440. More specifically, each projection 42428comprises a proximal-facing ramp which permits the sled 42440 to passthereby during the staple firing stroke and a distal-facing shoulderwhich stops the proximal movement of the sled 42440. The sled 42240comprises hooks 42248 extending from the rails 42447 which can abut thedistal-facing shoulders of the projections 42428 when the sled 42240 ismoved proximally. The projections 42428 are arranged longitudinallywithin the longitudinal slots 42427 such that a projection 42428 canstop the proximal movement of the sled 42440 regardless of where thestaple firing stroke is stopped. In addition to or in lieu of the above,the jaw 42220 comprises projections 42224 extending upwardly from thebottom support 42225 which are configured to interact with a bottomportion 42445 of the sled 42440. Each projection 42224 comprises aproximal-facing ramp which permits the sled 42440 to pass thereby duringthe staple firing stroke and a distal-facing shoulder which stops theproximal movement of the sled 42440.

A surgical stapling instrument 43000 is illustrated in FIGS. 122-128.The surgical instrument 43000 comprises an end effector 43200 includinga first jaw 43220 and a second jaw 43230, a replaceable staple cartridge43400 positioned in the first jaw 43220, and a staple firing drive43700. The staple cartridge 43400 comprises a cartridge body 43420 and asled 43440 positioned within the cartridge body 43420 which is slideablefrom a proximal position (FIG. 122) toward a distal position during astaple firing stroke. The sled 43440 comprises ramps configured toengage staple drivers within the cartridge body 43420 to eject thestaples from the staple cartridge 43400. The sled 43440 also comprises atissue cutting knife 43450 fixedly attached thereto. When the sled 43440is in its proximal unfired position, referring to FIG. 122, the knifeedge of the tissue cutting knife 43450 is positioned between lateralknife guards 43425 extending upwardly from the deck, or top, of thecartridge body 43420. When the sled 43440 is advanced distally duringthe staple firing stroke, the knife edge of the tissue cutting knife43450 is exposed to the patient tissue captured between the jaws 43220and 43230. As described in greater detail below, the sled 43440 ismovable distally by a firing bar 43720 of the staple firing system43700. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,133, entitled STAPLECARTRIDGE, which issued on Sep. 24, 2013 is incorporated by referenceherein.

When the second jaw 43230 is in an open position, an unspent staplecartridge 43400 is insertable into the first jaw 43220. When the unspentstaple cartridge 43400 is fully seated in the first jaw 43220, the sled43440 of the unspent staple cartridge 43400 compresses a spent cartridgelockout 43290 mounted to the bottom of the first jaw 43220. The spentcartridge lockout 43290 comprises a folding spring, for example, withone side mounted to the first jaw 43220 and the other side extendingupwardly which is contacted by the sled 43220. Once the spent cartridgelockout 43290 has been depressed, or defeated, by the sled 43220, thefiring bar 43720 can be advanced distally to couple the firing bar 43720with the sled 43440, as illustrated in FIGS. 123 and 124. Morespecifically, the firing bar 43720 comprises a latch 43730 rotatablymounted thereto which becomes latched to the sled 43440 when the firingbar 43720 is advanced distally and the spent cartridge lockout 43290 hasbeen pushed downwardly out of the way by the sled 43440. The latch 43730comprises a distal latch end 43731 which engages a latch recess 43441defined in the sled 43440 and, once coupled, the firing bar 43720 ispushed distally to push the sled 43440 through the staple firing stroke.Notably, the firing bar 43720 comprises a first cam 43728 configured toengage the first jaw 43220 and a second cam 43729 configured to engagethe second jaw 43230 during the staple firing stroke to hold the jaws43220 and 43230 in position relative to one another. Also notably, thespent cartridge lockout 43290 is configured to resiliently return to itslocked condition after the sled 43440 has been pushed distally off ofthe spent cartridge lockout 43290—but it does not impede the currentstaple firing stroke in such instances because the spent cartridgelockout 43290 has already been bypassed by the unspent staple cartridge43400.

After the staple firing stroke has been completed, or after the staplefiring stroke has been stopped, the firing bar 43720 is retracted backinto its proximal unfired position. As the firing bar 43720 is beingretracted, referring to FIG. 125, the latch 43730 pulls the sled 43440proximally with the firing bar 43720. As the firing bar 43720 nears itsproximal unfired position, the latch 43730 is decoupled from the sled43740. More specifically, referring to FIG. 126, the latch 43730contacts the spent cartridge lockout 43290 which lifts the distal latchend 43731 of the latch 43730 out of the latch recess 43441 defined inthe sled 43440. At such point, the sled 43440 is no longer retractedwith the firing bar 43720. In fact, the sled 43440 is not fullyretracted in such circumstances. Instead, referring to FIG. 127, thesled 43440 is left in a partially advanced, or fired, position, in whichthe sled 43440 is not sitting on the spent cartridge lockout 43290 (butis in a position in which the knife edge of the tissue cutting knife43750 is protected by the knife guards 43425). As a result, the spentcartridge lockout 43290 remains in its locked position until the spentstaple cartridge 43400 is removed from the first jaw 43220 and replacedwith an unspent staple cartridge 43400, or another suitable unspentstaple cartridge. In the event that the firing bar 43720 were to beadvanced distally once again before the spent staple cartridge 43400 isreplaced, referring to FIG. 128, the latch 43730 would contact thestaple cartridge lockout 43290 and the distal progression of the firingbar 43720 would be stopped. As a result, the spent cartridge lockout43290 prevents a staple firing stroke of the staple firing system 43700if an unspent staple cartridge 43400 is not seated in the first jaw43220.

In addition to or in lieu of the above, any suitable spent cartridgelockout could be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Forinstance, an electronic spent cartridge lockout could be used. In atleast one such embodiment, a stapling instrument comprises an electricmotor configured to drive the staple firing system 43700, a controllerincluding a microprocessor configured to control the electric motor, anda sensor in communication with the controller configured to detect thepresence of an unspent staple cartridge in the first jaw 43220. Thesensor could be configured to detect the presence of the sled 43440 inits proximal unfired position, for example. Notably, the spent cartridgelockout 43290 of the stapling instrument 43000 also serves as a missingcartridge lockout. If a staple cartridge is missing from first jaw 43220altogether, the staple firing stroke of the staple firing system 43700would be prevented by the spent cartridge lockout 43290 in the same, orsimilar, way.

Portions of a stapling instrument 44000 are illustrated in FIGS.129-133. The stapling instrument 44000 comprises a staple cartridge44400 and a staple firing drive 44700. The staple cartridge 44400comprises a cartridge body 44420 including staple cavities 44424 and alongitudinal slot 44426 defined therein, staples removably stored in thestaple cavities 44424, and a tissue cutting knife 44450 stored in theproximal end of the cartridge body 44420. The tissue cutting knife 44450comprises a portion slidably positioned in the longitudinal slot 44426and a knife edge 44451 that extends above the cartridge body 44420. Whenthe tissue cutting knife 44450 is in a proximal unfired position,referring to FIGS. 129 and 130, the knife edge 44451 is positionedbetween knife guards 44425 extending upwardly from the cartridge body44420 such that the knife edge 44451 is not exposed. When the staplecartridge 44400 is loaded into the stapling instrument 44000, the tissuecutting knife 44450 is positioned in front of a firing member 44720 ofthe staple firing drive 44700. At such point, a gap is present betweenthe firing member 44720 and the tissue cutting knife 44450 and thefiring member 44720 is not connected to the tissue cutting knife 44450.When the firing member 44720 is advanced distally, however, the firingmember 44720 connects to the tissue cutting knife 44450. Morespecifically, the tissue cutting knife 44450 comprisesproximally-extending latch arms 44452 which are biased inwardly intolock recesses 44722 defined on opposite sides of the firing member 44720by the sidewalls of the longitudinal slot 44426 when the firing member44720 contacts the tissue cutting knife 44450 and initially advances thetissue cutting knife 44450 distally. At such point, referring to FIG.131, the tissue cutting knife 44450 is attached to the firing member44720 and the tissue cutting knife 44450 and the firing member 44720 areadvanced distally together through a staple firing stroke as illustratedin FIG. 132. Advancing the tissue cutting knife 44450 distally moves theknife edge 44451 out from between the knife guards 44425 and exposes thetissue cutting knife 44450 to the tissue. Moreover, the firing member44720 comprises an integral sled 44740 which is configured to engagestaple drivers in the staple cartridge 44400 and eject the staples fromthe staple cavities 44424 during the staple firing stroke.

After the staple firing stroke has been completed, or after the staplefiring stroke has been stopped, the firing member 44720 is retractedback into is proximal unfired position. In such instances, the firingmember 44720 pulls the tissue cutting knife 44450 proximally. When thetissue cutting knife 44450 is returned to its proximal unfired position,the knife edge 44451 is positioned between the knife guards 44425.Moreover, referring to FIG. 133, the tissue cutting knife 44450 releasesfrom the firing member 44720 when the tissue cutting knife 44450 isreturned to its proximal position. More specifically, referring to FIG.130, the latch arms 44452 resiliently spring outwardly owing to theclearances provided by recesses 44422 defined in the cartridge body44420 when the tissue cutting knife 44450 reaches its proximal position.Once the tissue cutting knife 44450 is detached from the firing member44720, the firing member 44720 is moved proximally into its unfiredposition. In various instances, the proximal movement of the tissuecutting knife 44450 is stopped when the tissue cutting knife 44450 abutsa proximal shoulder or wall in the cartridge body 44420. In suchinstances, the firing member 44720 can pull away from the latch arms44452 if the latch arms 44452 are still partially engaged with the lockrecesses 44722 defined in the firing member 44720.

A surgical instrument 45000 is illustrated in FIGS. 134-138. Referringprimarily to FIG. 134, the surgical instrument 45000 comprises an endeffector 45200 including a first jaw 45220 and a second jaw, or anvil,45230 rotatable relative to the first jaw 45220 about a pivot pin 45240between an open, unclamped position and a closed, clamped position. Thesurgical instrument 45000 further comprises a jaw closure system 45600configured to close the second jaw 45230. More specifically, the jawclosure system 45600 comprises a closure member 45620 movable proximallyto cam the second jaw 45230 downwardly toward its closed position. Thesurgical instrument 45000 further comprises a staple firing system 45700including a rotatable drive shaft 45710 and a firing member 45720threadably engaged with the drive shaft 45710 which is movable distallyduring a staple firing stroke. The first jaw 45220 is configured toreceive a replaceable staple cartridge 45400 therein which comprises acartridge body 45420, staples removably stored in the cartridge body45420, and staple drivers configured to support and drive the staplesout of the cartridge body 45420 during the staple firing stroke. Thestaple cartridge 45400 further comprises a sled 45440 movable from aproximal unfired position to a distal fired position by the firingmember 45720 to push the staple drivers upwardly within the cartridgebody 45420 toward the top, or deck, of the cartridge body 45420 duringthe staple firing stroke.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 45000 further comprises alockout assembly 45900 configured to prevent the second jaw 45230 frombeing fully closed and prevent the firing member 45720 from beingadvanced distally through a staple firing stroke if the staple cartridge45400 is missing from the first jaw 45220 or the staple cartridge 45400positioned in the first jaw 45220 has been previously fired. Referringprimarily to FIGS. 135 and 136, the lockout assembly 45900 comprises aframe 45910, an anvil closure lockout 45920, and a staple firing lockout45930. The frame 45910 is fixedly mounted to the first jaw 45220 and ispositioned underneath the pivot pin 45240, but could be positioned inany suitable location. The anvil closure lockout 45920 is rotatablymounted to the frame 45910 about a pivot 45922 and is rotatable betweena locked position (FIG. 135) and an unlocked position (FIGS. 137 and138) about the pivot 45922. The anvil closure lockout 45920 comprises aproximal end 45924 and a distal end 45926. The proximal end 45924 of theanvil closure lockout 45920 comprises a latch releasably engaged with alatch shoulder 45624 defined on the closure member 45620 when the anvilclosure lockout 45920 is in its locked position (FIG. 135). In suchinstances, the anvil closure lockout 45920 prevents the closure member45620 from moving proximally to close the second jaw 45230. When astaple cartridge 45400 is inserted into the first jaw 45220, however,the proximal end of the cartridge body 45420 contacts the distal end45926 of the anvil closure lockout 45920 and rotates the anvil closurelockout 45920 into its unlocked position, as illustrated in FIG. 137. Insuch instances, the proximal end 45924 of the anvil closure lockout45920 is disengaged from the closure member 45620 and the closure member45620 can be moved proximally to close the second jaw 45230. In fact,the anvil closure lockout 45920 remains unlocked so long as the staplecartridge 45400 is seated in the first jaw 45220 and, as a result, thesecond jaw 45230 can be opened and closed by a clinician, as many timesas desirable, so long as the staple cartridge 45400 is seated in thefirst jaw 45220. Once the staple cartridge 45400 is removed, however,the anvil closure lockout 45920 automatically re-locks. Morespecifically, the lockout assembly 45900 comprises a biasing spring45940 positioned intermediate the anvil closure lockout 45920 and thestaple firing lockout 45930 which is compressed when the anvil closurelockout 45920 is rotated into its unlocked position and, when the staplecartridge 45400 is removed, the biasing spring 45940 resiliently returnsthe anvil closure lockout 45920 back into its locked position.

The stapling firing lockout 45930 is rotatably mounted to the frame45910 about a pivot 45932 and is rotatable between a locked position(FIG. 135) and an unlocked position (FIG. 137) about the pivot 45932.The staple firing lockout 45930 comprises a proximal end 45934 and adistal end 45936. The distal end 45936 of the staple firing lockout45930 comprises a latch releasably engaged with the firing member 45720when the staple firing lockout 45930 is in its locked position (FIG.135). In such instances, the staple firing lockout 45930 prevents thefiring member 45720 from moving distally to perform the staple firingstroke. When an unspent staple cartridge 45400 is inserted into thefirst jaw 45220, however, the sled 45440 of the staple cartridge 45400contacts the distal end 45936 of the staple firing lockout 45930 androtates the staple firing lockout 45930 into its unlocked position, asillustrated in FIG. 137. In such instances, the distal end 45936 of thestaple firing lockout 45930 is disengaged from the firing member 45720and the firing member 45720 can be moved distally to perform the staplefiring stroke. Once the sled 45440 is advanced distally, however, thestaple firing lockout 45930 automatically re-locks. More specifically,the biasing spring 45940 positioned intermediate the anvil closurelockout 45920 and the staple firing lockout 45930 is compressed when thestaple firing lockout 45930 is rotated into its unlocked position and,when the sled 45440 is advanced distally, the biasing spring 45940resiliently returns the staple firing lockout 45930 back into its lockedposition. As a result, the staple firing lockout 45930 is rotated backinto its locked position when the sled 45440 is advanced distallythrough its staple firing stroke by the firing member 45720. This isimmaterial, at this point, because the firing member 45720 has alreadybeen advanced distally and the staple firing lockout 45930 can no longerstop the staple firing stroke. Notably, though, the sled 45440 is notreturned proximally by the firing member 45720 after the staple firingstroke and, when the firing member 45720 is returned back to itsproximal unfired position, the staple firing lockout 45930 is biased infront of the firing member 45720 by the biasing spring 45940 such that asubsequent firing stroke of the firing member 45720 isn't possible untilthe spent staple cartridge 45400 is replaced with an unspent staplecartridge 45400. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/458,108, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFIDSYSTEM, filed on Jun. 30, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.

A staple cartridge 46400 is illustrated in FIGS. 139-143. The staplecartridge 46400 comprises a cartridge body 46420, staples removablystored in the cartridge body 46420, staple drivers configured to supportand drive the staples out of the cartridge body 46420, and a sled 46440configured to push the staple drivers upwardly toward the top, or deck,of the cartridge body 46420 during a staple firing stroke. The sled46440 comprises ramps, or rails, 46442 configured to engage the stapledrivers which are slideably positioned in longitudinal slots 46422defined in the cartridge body 46420. The sled 46440 further comprises acentral portion 46446 which is slideably positioned in a centrallongitudinal slot 46426 defined in the cartridge body 46420. The sled46440 is moveable from a proximal unfired position to a distal firedposition during the staple firing stroke in which the sled 46440 ispushed distally by a staple firing system. After the staple firingstroke, or after the staple firing stroke has been stopped, the staplefiring system is operated in reverse to reset the staple firing system.In such instances, the staple firing system pulls the sled 46440proximally toward its proximal unfired position; however, the sled 46440is stopped before it reaches its proximal unfired position, as describedin greater detail below. At such point the staple firing system detachesfrom the sled 46440 such that the sled 46440 remains behind in apartially fired position.

Referring primarily to FIG. 139, further to the above, the staplecartridge 46400 further comprises a spent cartridge lock 46490 rotatablymounted to the cartridge body 46420 about a pin 46425. Referringprimarily to FIG. 140, the spent cartridge lock 46490 comprises atrippable portion 46497 extending into an aperture 46447 defined in thesled 46440 when the spent cartridge lock 46490 is in its unlockedposition (FIG. 140). When the sled 46440 is advanced distally, asillustrated in FIG. 141, an end wall of the aperture 46447 defined inthe sled 46440 contacts the trippable portion 46497 of the spentcartridge lock 46490 and rotates the spent cartridge lock 46490 into alocked position (FIG. 142). In the locked position of the spentcartridge lock 46490, referring to FIG. 142, a lock portion 46495 of thespent cartridge lock 46490 is positioned in a lock aperture 46427defined in the cartridge body 46420. When the sled 46440 is retractedafter the staple firing stroke, further to the above, the proximalmotion of the sled 46440 is blocked by the lock portion 46495 whichprevents the sled 46440 from being returned to its proximal unfiredposition. Instead, the sled 46440 remains in a retracted, but spent,position. In co-operation with a staple firing lockout in the surgicalinstrument, the staple firing system is prevented from advancing thesled 46440 out of its retracted spent position. The entire disclosuresof U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Pat. No.6,988,649, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENTCARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, U.S. Pat. No.6,959,852, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH MULTISTROKE FIRINGINCORPORATING AN ANTI-BACKUP MECHANISM, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,057,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A FIRING MECHANISMHAVING A LINKED TRANSMISSION, are incorporated by reference herein.

In such embodiments, the firing bar of the staple firing system mustengage the sled 46440 at the outset of the staple firing stroke in orderto pass over a staple firing lockout defined in the first jaw 46220 and,if the firing bar does not engage the sled 46440 at the outset of thestaple firing stroke, the firing bar abuts the staple firing lockout andthe firing bar is blocked from performing the staple firing stroke. As aresult of this arrangement, a spent cartridge cannot be accidentallyre-used. In order to re-use the stapling instrument, the spent staplecartridge 46400 must be removed and replaced with an unspent staplecartridge 46400, or any other suitable unspent staple cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 57, an end effector of a stapling instrument comprisesa staple cartridge 30220 and an anvil 30230. The anvil 30230 is movablerelative to the staple cartridge 30220 between an open, unclamped,position and a closed, clamped, position. The staple cartridge 30220comprises a cartridge body 30222 including a proximal end 30224, adistal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end 30224 and thedistal end. The cartridge body 30222 further comprises a longitudinalslot 30228 extending from the proximal end 30224 toward the distal endand, in addition, staple cavities 30223 arranged in longitudinal rows onopposite sides of the longitudinal slot 30228. A staple, or any othersuitable fastener, is removably stored in each staple cavity 30223.

Further to the above, the stapling instrument comprises a cartridge jawconfigured to receive the staple cartridge 30220. The cartridge jawand/or the staple cartridge 30220 comprise features configured toreleasably retain the staple cartridge 30220 in the cartridge jaw. Invarious instances, the staple cartridge 30220 comprises snap-fitfeatures at the proximal end 30224 and at the distal end of the staplecartridge body 30222 which releasably hold the staple cartridge 30220 inthe cartridge jaw, for example. In various instances, referring to FIG.58, the proximal end of the staple cartridge 30220 may not be fullyseated, or not snapped into place, within the cartridge jaw when thestaple cartridge 30220 is inserted into the cartridge jaw. In suchinstances, the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222 may behigher than the distal end resulting in a tilted deck between theproximal end 30224 and the distal end. A clinician can correct thiscondition by pushing down on the proximal end 30224 of the cartridgebody 30222 to fully seat the proximal end 30234—if they notice it. Ifnot, the stapling instrument has a self-correcting feature which fullyseats the staple cartridge 30220 in the cartridge jaw, as discussed ingreater detail below.

The cartridge body 30222 comprises projections 30225 extending upwardlyfrom the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222. A firstprojection 30225 extends upwardly from a first side of the longitudinalslot 30228 and a second projection 30225 extends upwardly from a secondside of the longitudinal slot 30228. Each projection 30225 includes analignment post 30227 extending therefrom which is configured to bereceived within an alignment slot 30237 defined in the anvil 30230 whenthe anvil 30230 is moved into its clamped position. If the staplecartridge 30220 is not properly seated in the cartridge jaw when theanvil 30230 is moved into is clamped position, as illustrated in FIG.58, the anvil 30230 will contact the alignment posts 30227 and pushdownwardly onto the staple cartridge 30220 until the staple cartridge30220 is seated in the cartridge jaw. On the other hand, if the staplecartridge 30220 is properly seated in the cartridge jaw, the alignmentslots 30237 can receive the alignment posts 30227 without pushing downon the staple cartridge 30220. Advantageously, this arrangement assuresthat tissue support surface 30221 of the staple cartridge 30220 and thetissue support surface 30231 of the anvil 30230 are properly alignedwhen the anvil 30230 is in its clamped position. Moreover, thisarrangement assures that the staples stored within the staple cartridge30220 are properly aligned with the staple forming pockets defined inthe anvil 30230 when the anvil 30230 is in its clamped position.

Further to the above, referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the staple cartridge30220 can further comprise one or more crush ribs 30229 extending fromeach of the projections 30225. The crush ribs 30229 are sized andconfigured such that the anvil 30230 contacts the staple cartridge 30220whether or not the staple cartridge 30220 is properly, or improperly,seated in the cartridge jaw. When the anvil 30230 is moved into itsclamped position, the anvil 30230 contacts the crush ribs 30229 andpermanently deforms them. In such instances, as a result, a snuginterface is created between the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil30230. Such an arrangement can account for the various manufacturingtolerances of the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230, amongothers. Moreover, the crush ribs 30229 and the alignment posts 30227 canwork co-operatively align the anvil 30230 with the staple cartridge30220. For instance, the alignment posts can provide a gross alignmentbetween the anvil 30230 and the staple cartridge 30220 while the crushribs 30229 can provide a fine alignment between the anvil 30230 and thestaple cartridge 30220.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 30220 and/or the staplefiring drive of the stapling instrument comprises a tissue cutting knifetranslatable from the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222toward the distal end 30226 during a staple firing stroke to eject thestaples from the cartridge body 30222. During the staple firing stroke,a knife edge of the tissue cutting knife extends above the top surface30221 of the cartridge body 30222 to cut the tissue clamped between thestaple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230. In various instances, absentmore, the knife edge would be exposed above the top surface 30221 whenthe staple cartridge 30220 is not positioned in the cartridge jaw if thetissue cutting knife is part of the staple cartridge 30220 and/or whenthe staple cartridge 30220 is positioned in the cartridge jaw and theanvil is in an open, or unclamped, position. With this in mind, theprojections 30225 are sized and configured to extend above and cover theknife edge when the tissue cutting member is in its proximal, unfiredposition. Moreover, the projections 30225 are sized and configured toextend longitudinally with respect to the knife edge when the tissuecutting member is in its proximal, unfired position. When the tissuecutting member is moved distally during the staple firing stroke, theknife edge moves distally out from between the projections 30225 andbecomes exposed.

A staple cartridge 31220 and an anvil 31230 are depicted in FIGS. 61-64which are similar to the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230 inmany respects. The staple cartridge 31220 comprises a cartridge body31222 comprising a proximal end 31224 which, similar to the above, willbe pushed into its fully seated position by the anvil 31230 when theanvil 31230 is moved into its clamped position. The cartridge body 31222comprises projections 31225 extending upwardly from the proximal end31224 of the cartridge body 31222. Similar to the above, the projections31225 flank the longitudinal slot 30228 and each comprise an alignmentpost 31227 extending therefrom. The alignment posts 31227 are configuredto be received within alignment slots 31237 defined in the anvil 31230when the anvil 31230 is moved into is clamped position. The alignmentposts 31227 further comprises crush ribs 31229 extending therefrom whichare crushed by the anvil 31230 when the anvil 31230 is overclamped (FIG.64) past a parallel position (FIG. 63) to seat the staple cartridge31220 if it has not yet been seated.

A staple cartridge 32220 and an anvil 32230 are depicted in FIGS. 65-68which are similar to the staple cartridges 30220, 31220 and the anvils30230, 31230 in many respects. The staple cartridge 32220 comprises acartridge body 32222 comprising a proximal end 32224 which, similar tothe above, will be pushed into its fully seated position by the anvil32230 when the anvil 32230 is moved into its clamped position. Thecartridge body 32222 comprises cams 32227 extending upwardly from theproximal end 32224 of the cartridge body 32222. Similar to the above,the cams 32227 flank the longitudinal slot 30228 and each comprise anarcuate profile. The cams 32227 are configured to be engaged bycorresponding cams 32237 extending from the anvil 32230 when the anvil32230 is moved into is clamped position to seat the staple cartridge32220 if the staple cartridge 32220 has not yet been seated.

Referring to FIGS. 71 and 72, a staple cartridge 48400 comprises acartridge body including staple cavities 48425 defined therein.Referring to FIGS. 69 and 70, an anvil 48230 is rotatably mounted to ajaw supporting the staple cartridge 48400 about pivot pins 48240. Theanvil 48230 comprises staple forming pockets 48235 defined therein whichare aligned with the staple cavities 48245 when the anvil 48230 isclosed. More specifically, each staple forming pocket 48235 is alignedwith a corresponding staple cavity 48245 such that the staple ejectedfrom the staple cavity 48245 is deformed by its corresponding formingpocket 48235. In at least one instance, each forming pocket 48235comprises two forming cups, each of which being configured to deform aleg of the staple.

A staple cartridge 10000 is illustrated in FIG. 18. The staple cartridge10000 further comprises a deck surface 10010 and a base 10015. Asidewall 10020 extends between the deck surface 10010 and the base10015. The staple cartridge 10000 further comprises an elongate slot10006 extending from a proximal end 10002 toward a distal end 10004. Alongitudinal axis is defined along the staple cartridge 10000 by theelongate slot 10006. The staple cartridge 10000 comprises staplecavities defined therein. The staple cavities are arranged in threelongitudinal rows. A first row of staple cavities 10100 extendsalongside the elongate slot 10006. A second row of staple cavities 10200extends alongside the first row of staple cavities 10100 on the sameside of the elongate slot 10006. A third row of staple cavities 10300extends alongside the second row of staple cavities 10200.

Staple drivers 10500 are movably positioned within the staple cavities10100, 10200, 10300. More specifically, the staple drivers 10500 areconfigured to move from an unfired position to a fired position during astaple firing stroke. Each staple driver 10500 comprises a firststaple-supporting portion 10510, a second staple-supporting portion10520, and a third staple-supporting portion 10530. The firststaple-supporting portion 10510 supports a staple in a staple cavity10100 from the first longitudinal row, the second staple-supportingportion 10520 supports a staple in a staple cavity 10200 from the secondlongitudinal row, and the third staple-supporting portion 10530 supportsa staple in a staple cavity 10300 from the third longitudinal row. Abase 10550 connects the three staple-supporting portions 10510, 10520,10530 to one another.

In various instances, staple cartridges comprise a component, such as atray, for example, positioned below and/or underneath the base of thestaple cartridge to prevent elements, such as, for example, the stapledrivers and/or the staples, from disassociating from the staplecartridge during storage and/or handling. In instances where such anadditional component is undesirable, staple cartridges can comprise oneor more driver retention features as discussed in greater detail herein.In addition to maintaining the staple drivers within the staplecartridge, driver retention features can also serve to maintain thestaple drivers in their unfired position prior to the staple firingstroke. Holding the staple drivers in their unfired position prior tothe staple firing stroke can facilitate a uniform and/or successfulstaple firing stroke. In such instances, the driver retention featuresdiscussed herein prevent the staple drivers from unwanted movement inany direction within the staple cavities.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, the staple cartridge 10000 comprises aplurality of locking arms 10022 that are configured to serve as a driverretention feature. The plurality of locking arms 10022 are definedwithin the exterior sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000. Thelocking arms 10022 are longitudinally spaced apart from one anotheralong a length of the staple cartridge 10000. Each locking arm 10022comprises a resilient engagement portion that is configured to interfacewith a staple driver to maintain the staple driver in its unfiredposition. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, each locking arm 10022comprises a projection that extends into a staple cavity 10300 from thethird longitudinal row; however, the locking arms 10022 could extendinto any suitable staple cavity. A staple driver 10500 is shown in itsunfired position in FIGS. 21 and 22. The staple driver 10500 comprisesan indent and/or notch 10535 defined in the third staple-supportingportion 10530. When the staple driver 10500 is in its unfired position,the notch 10535 interfaces with and/or receives the projection from thelocking arm 10022 of the staple cartridge 10000. The interface betweenthe staple driver 10500 and the locking arm 10022 provides a driverretention capability to the staple cartridge 10000. Additional driverretention features are described in greater detail herein.

A staple cartridge 10000′, similar in many respects to the staplecartridge 10000, is illustrated in FIG. 23. The staple cartridge 10000′comprises windows 10025 that are defined in the sidewall 10020, whereinthe windows 10025 are longitudinally spaced apart from one another. Thewindows 10025 are positioned at the same height along the staplecartridge 10000 as one another. A staple driver 10500′, similarly inmany respects to the staple driver 10500 is configured to be movablyreceived within the staple cartridge 10000′. The staple driver 10500′,shown in FIG. 24, comprises a driver retention member and/or projection10535′ resiliently extending from a sidewall of the thirdstaple-supporting portion 10530′ toward the sidewall 10020 of the staplecartridge 10000′. Stated another way, the portion 10530′ of the stapledriver 10500′ extending into a staple cavity 10300 from the thirdlongitudinal row comprises a driver retention member and/or projection10535′ extending from the third staple-supporting portion 10530′ towardthe sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000′.

The driver retention member 10535′ is resiliently connected to the base10550′ of the staple driver 10500′. When the staple driver 10500′ is inits unfired position, as shown in FIG. 23, the driver retention member10535′ extends through the window 10025 defined in the staple cartridge10000′. The projection of the driver retention member 10535 through thewindow 10025 prevents the staple driver 10500′ from freely moving in anydirection within the staple cavities 10100, 10200, 10300. Stated anotherway, an external force must be applied to the staple driver 10500′and/or the staple cartridge 10000′ in order to bias the projection10535′ out of the window 10025. The driver retention member 10535′comprises a tapered and/or ramped upper surface configured to facilitatethe disengagement of the driver retention member 10535′ from the window10025 during the staple firing stroke. As an upward force, such as theforce applied by an advancing firing member, is applied to the stapledriver 10500′, the driver retention member 10535′ is biased away fromthe sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000′. The driver retentionmember 10535′ then disengages from the window 10025, and the stapledriver 10500′ is free to translate from the unfired position toward thefired position.

In various instances, the windows 10025 are positioned at differentheights along the sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000′. Such awindow arrangement facilitates the ability for the staple drivers to beheld at different heights in the staple cartridge 10000′.

A staple cartridge 11000 is depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26 that is similarin many respects to the staple cartridge 10000. The staple cartridge11000 comprises a deck surface 11010 and a base 11015. The staplecartridge 11000 further comprises an elongate slot 11006 extending froma proximal end 11002 toward a distal end 11004. A longitudinal axis isdefined along the staple cartridge 11000 by the elongate slot 11006. Thestaple cartridge 11000 comprises staple cavities defined therein. Thestaple cavities are arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first row ofstaple cavities 11100 extends alongside the elongate slot 11006. Asecond row of staple cavities 11200 extends alongside the first row ofstaple cavities 11100 on the same side of the elongate slot 11006. Athird row of staple cavities 11300 extends alongside the second row ofstaple cavities 11200.

Staple drivers 11500 are movably positioned in the staple cavities11100, 11200, 11300. Each staple driver 11500 is configured to move froman unfired position and a fired position during the staple firingstroke. As shown in FIG. 27, the staple driver 11500 comprises a firststaple-supporting portion 11510, a second staple-supporting portion11520, and a third staple-supporting portion 11530. The firststaple-supporting portion 11510 supports a staple in a staple cavity11100 from the first longitudinal row, the second staple-supportingportion 11520 supports a staple in a staple cavity 11200 from the secondlongitudinal row, and the third staple-supporting portion 11530 supportsa staple in a staple cavity 11300 from the third longitudinal row. Abase 11550 connects the three staple-supporting portions 11510, 11520,11530 to one another.

The staple cartridge 11000 comprises an exterior wall 11020 that servesas a sidewall to the staple cavities within the third longitudinal row11300. The exterior wall 11020 comprises a resilient engagement portioncomprising projections 11025 defined thereon. The staple cartridge 11000further comprises an interior wall 11030 that serves as a sidewall tothe staple cavities within the first longitudinal row 11100. Theinterior wall 11030 comprises a resilient engagement portion comprisingprojections 11035 defined thereon. The projections 11025, 11035 of thestaple cartridge 11000 are configured to engage each staple driver 11500as the staple drivers 11500 move within the staple cavities. As shown inFIGS. 26 and 27, a detent and/or notch 11515 is defined in the firststaple-supporting portion 11510 and the third staple-supporting portion11530. In various embodiments, the detent and/or notch 11515 can bedefined on any suitable portion of the staple driver 11500, such as thesecond staple-supporting portion 11520, for example.

A staple driver 11500 is shown being inserted into the base 11015 on theright side of the elongate slot 11006 of the staple cartridge 11000shown in FIG. 26. An insertion path of the staple driver 11500 isblocked by the resilient engagement portions 11025, 11035 of the staplecartridge 11000. Stated another way, the resilient engagement portions11025, 11035 prevent the staple driver 11500 from being inserted intothe staple cartridge 11000 without application of an external force. Asan upward force is applied to the staple driver 11500, the firststaple-supporting portion 11510 contacts the interior wall 11030 of thestaple cartridge 11000. The contact between the first staple-supportingportion 11510 and the interior wall 11030 causes at least a portion ofthe interior wall 11030 to bias away from the staple driver 11500 andtoward the elongate slot 11006. Similarly, the third staple-supportingportion 11530 contacts the exterior wall 11020 of the staple cartridge11000 as the staple driver 11500 is loaded into the staple cartridge11000. The contact between the third staple-supporting portion 11530 andthe exterior wall 11020 causes at least a portion of the exterior wall11020 bias away from the staple driver 11500 and away from the elongateslot 11006. When the interior wall 11030 and the exterior wall 11020 arebiased away from the staple cavity, the insertion path of the stapledriver 11500 is cleared, and the staple driver 11500 is able to beloaded into the staple cartridge 11000 and held in the unfired position.

A staple driver 11500 is shown being held in the unfired position on theleft side of the elongate slot 11006 of the staple cartridge 11000 shownin FIG. 26. Notably, the resilient engagement portions of the interiorwall 11030 and the exterior wall 11020 are in an unbiased and/or naturalconfiguration. The staple driver 11500 is held in the unfired position,as the projections 11025, 11035 defined on the resilient engagementportions are received by the detents and/or notches 11515 defined in thefirst staple-supporting portion 11510 and the third staple-supportingportion 11530 of the staple driver 11500. Stated another way, theinterface between the projections 11025, 11035 of the staple cartridge11000 and the notch and/or detent 11515 of the staple driver 11500prevents the staple driver 11500 from moving in either direction out ofthe unfired position.

As discussed in greater detail herein, driver retention features can beintegrally formed within the staple cartridge. Staple cartridges, suchas the staple cartridge 11900, can be manufactured through an injectionmolding process. As shown in FIG. 29, a top mold 11800 and a bottom mold11700 are positioned in a manner that allows for the injection moldingof the staple cartridge 11900 comprising a driver retention feature.Similar to the staple cartridge 11000, the staple cartridge 11900comprises three longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending alongeach side of an elongate slot.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the bottom mold 11700 comprises a centralprojection 11750 extending from a base, wherein the central projection11750 is configured to define the elongate slot in the staple cartridge11900. The bottom mold 11700 further comprises three projectionsextending from the base along each side of the central projection 11750.A first projection 11710 extends from the base alongside the centralprojection 11750 a first distance and is configured to define the staplecavities within a first longitudinal row. A second projection 11720extends from the base alongside the first projection 11710 to a seconddistance and is configured to define the staple cavities within a secondlongitudinal row. A third projection 11730 extends from the basealongside the second projection 11720 to a third distance and isconfigured to define the staple cavities within a third longitudinalrow. The third distance is shorter than the first distance and thesecond distance.

The top mold 11800 comprises a central projection 11850 extending from abase, wherein the central projection 11850 is configured to be alignedwith the central projection 11750 of the bottom mold 11700 in order todefine the elongate slot in the staple cartridge 19000. The top mold11800 further comprises three projections extending from the base alongeach side of the central projection 11850. A first projection 11810extends a first distance from the base alongside the central projection11850. The first projection 11810 is aligned with and/or cooperates withthe first projection 11710 of the bottom mold 11700 to define the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities. A second projection 11820 extends asecond distance from the base alongside the first projection 11810. Thesecond projection 11820 is aligned with and/or cooperates with thesecond projection 11720 of the bottom mold 11700 to define the secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities. A third projection 11830 extends athird distance from the base alongside the second projection 11820. Thethird projection 11830 is aligned with and/or cooperates with the thirdprojection 11730 of the bottom mold 11700 to define the third row ofstaple cavities and the driver retention feature. The third distance isgreater than the first distance and the second distance. Stated anotherway, the first and second projections 11710, 11720 of the bottom mold11700 define a majority of the first and second longitudinal rows ofstaple cavities as the first and second projections 11710, 11720 aretaller than the third projection 11730 of the bottom mold 11700.Conversely, the third projection 11830 of the top mold 11800 defines amajority of the third longitudinal row of staple cavities as the thirdprojection 11830 is taller than the first and second projections 11820,11830 of the top mold 11800.

The third projection 11730 extends a shorter distance from the base ofthe bottom mold 11700 in order to form a driver retention feature withinthe staple cartridge 11900. While the ends of the first projections11710, 11810 and the second projections 11720, 11820 comprise arectangular profile, the ends of the third projections 11730, 11830comprise a tapered and/or ramped profile. The tapered and/or rampedprofile of the third projection 11730 of the bottom mold 11700complements the tapered and/or ramped profile of the third projection11830 of the top mold 11800. The tapered profiles allow for thedefinition of a resilient engagement portion comprising lockingprojections 11925 on an exterior wall of the staple cartridge 11900,wherein the locking projections 11925 extend into the staple cavities.In the depicted embodiment, the locking projections 11925 extend intothe staple cavities from the third longitudinal row. The lockingprojections 11925 are positioned in such a manner to interface with thestaple drivers to maintain the staple driver in their unfired position.The locking projections 11925 are configured to prevent unwantedmovement of the staple drivers within the staple cavities, such asmovement of the staple drivers from their unfired position toward thefired position and/or disassociation from the staple cartridge 19000.

FIG. 28 illustrates a staple driver 11600 for use with the staplecartridge 11900. The staple driver 11600 comprises a firststaple-supporting portion 11610 configured to be positioned in a staplecavity from the first longitudinal row, a second staple-supportingportion 11620 configured to be positioned in a staple cavity from thesecond longitudinal row, and a third staple-supporting portion 11630configured to be positioned in a staple cavity from the thirdlongitudinal row. The third staple-supporting portion 11630 comprises aledge 11634. In various instances, a bottom section 11636 of the thirdstaple-supporting portion 11630 is removed in order to form the ledge11634. The ledge 11634 comprises a flat surface that directly abuts aflat surface formed on each locking projection 11925 of the staplecartridge 11900 when the staple driver 11600 is in the unfired position.Such an interface prevents the staple drivers 11600 from disassociatingfrom the staple cartridge 11900 through the base of the staple cartridge11900. Each locking projection 11925 further comprises a ramped surfaceto facilitate translation of the staple drivers 11600 from their unfiredposition toward their fired position upon being contacted by a firingmember during the staple firing stroke. In the depicted embodiment, asmaller force is required to move the staple drivers 11600 from theirunfired position toward their fired position than the force required tomove the staple drivers 11600 from their unfired position toward thebase of the staple cartridge 11900.

FIGS. 31A-32B illustrate various elements of a staple cartridge 12000during a staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 12000 comprises acartridge body 12005 including a deck surface 12010. Staple cavities12020 are defined within the cartridge body 12005. Staples are removablypositioned within the staple cavities 12020. Staple drivers 12200 arepositioned within the staple cavities 12020 to support the staples,which are configured drive the staples toward an anvil positionedopposite the staple cartridge 12000 during a staple firing stroke. Eachof the staple drivers 12200 are configured to support a staple on astaple-supporting surface 12230 defined thereon. Each staple driver12200 comprises a proximal end 12202 and a distal end 12204. Theproximal end 12202 of each staple driver 12200 comprises a taperedengagement surface, or ramp, 12210. FIGS. 31A-32B depict a relationshipbetween a firing member 12100 and a staple driver 12200 of the staplecartridge 12000 as the firing member 12100 moves from a proximalposition to a distal position during the staple firing stroke. Thefiring member 12100 is proximal to the staple driver 12200 when thefiring member 12100 is in the proximal position, and the firing member12100 is distal to the staple driver 12200 when the firing member 12100is in the distal position.

The staple drivers 12200 are configured to translate upwardly within thestaple cavities 12020 during the staple firing stroke. As discussed ingreater detail herein, the staple drivers 12200 are in an unfiredposition, or configuration, prior to being contacted by the firingmember 12100 during the staple firing stroke. FIG. 31A illustrates thefiring member 12100 advancing from its proximal position toward itsdistal position. A distal end 12104 of the firing member 12100 contactsthe tapered engagement surface 12210 of the staple driver 12200 as aresult of the distal movement of the firing member 12100. The contactbetween the tapered engagement surface 12210 and the distal end 12104 ofthe firing member 12100 causes the staple driver 12200 to begin drivingupward in a first direction 1. The firing member 12100 comprises aramped surface 12210 configured to facilitate the upward translation ofthe staple driver 12200 as the firing member 12100 advances distallythrough the staple cartridge 12000.

The staple drivers 12200 ultimately reach a fully-fired position as thestaple drivers 12200 are driven upwardly by the firing member 12100. Thestaple driver 12200 is shown in the fully-fired position in FIG. 31B. Inthe fully-fired position, at least a portion of the staple driver 12200extends above, or is over-driven relative to, the deck surface 12010 ofthe staple cartridge 12000. As shown in FIG. 31B, the firing member12100 is capable of translating proximally and distally with little tono contact with the staple driver 12200 when the staple driver 12200 isin the fully-fired position. As such, the staple driver 12200 does notprevent the firing member 12100 from translating along a firing pathand/or a retraction path when the staple driver 12200 is maintained inits fully-fired position.

Once a staple driver 12200 reaches its fully-fired position, the firingmember 12100 continues to translate distally until the firing member12100 is past the staple driver 12200. As the firing member 12100translates distally past the staple driver 12200, the staple driver12200 may, in some instances, fall downwards in a second direction 2from its fully-fired position to a position somewhere between itsunfired position and its fully-fired position, i.e., a raised position.The staple driver 12200 is shown in the raised position in FIG. 32A.When the staple driver 12200 is in the raised and/or retention position,the staple driver 12200 is positioned higher than the staple driver12200 in its unfired position but lower than the staple driver 12200 inits fully-fired position. In various instances, for example, the stapledriver 12200 does not extend above the deck surface 12010 of the staplecartridge 12000 when the staple driver 12200 is in the raised position.

In many embodiments, the firing member 12100 is retracted proximallyfrom its distal position after the staple firing stroke has beencompleted or is otherwise stopped. However, if one or more stapledrivers 12200 have fallen downwardly toward the unfired position, thefiring member 12100 is blocked from being retracted past the fallenstaple drivers 12200. As discussed in greater detail herein, the firingmember 12100 is not prevented from being retracted proximally when thestaple drivers 12200 are in their raised position and/or theirfully-fired position.

As shown in FIG. 32B, a proximal end 12102 of the firing member 12100comprises as angled engagement surface or ramp 12120. As the firingmember 12100 is retracted proximally, the angled engagement surface12120 of the firing member 12100 contacts the distal end 12204 of thestaple driver 12200. The contact made between the angled engagementsurface 12120 of the firing member 12100 and the distal end 12204 of thestaple driver 12200 causes the staple driver 12200 to once again driveupward in the first direction 1. The staple driver 12200 is driven tothe fully-fired position or to any suitable position that allows thefiring member 12100 to retract proximally past the staple driver 12200.In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the staple driver 12200 movesabove the deck surface 12010 of the staple cartridge 12000 to allow thefiring member 12100 to retract. The staple driver 12200 may fall backtoward the unfired position once the firing member 12100 is retractedpast the staple driver 12200. Various manners to keep the staple driverin the fully-fired position and/or the raised position are discussed ingreater detail herein.

A staple cartridge 13000 is depicted in FIG. 33. The staple cartridge13000 comprises an elongate slot 13006 extending from a proximal end13002 toward a distal end 13004. The elongate slot 13006 defines alongitudinal axis of the staple cartridge 13000. Staple cavities aredefined in the staple cartridge 13000, and the staple cavities arearranged in longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staplecavities 13100 extends alongside the elongate slot 13006. A secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 13200 extends alongside the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 13100 on the same side of theelongate slot 13006. A third longitudinal row of staple cavities 13300extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 13200.The staple cavities 13100 within the first longitudinal row arelaterally aligned with the staple cavities 13300 within the thirdlongitudinal row. The staple cavities 13200 within the secondlongitudinal row are laterally offset from the staple cavities 13100,13300 within the first and third longitudinal rows, respectively.

As discussed in greater detail herein, the staple cartridge 13000comprises projections 13400 extending upward and/or toward an anvil froma deck surface 13010. The projections 13400 surround at least a portionof the staple cavities 13100, 13200, 13300 and serve to, for example,prevent tissue from moving relative to the deck surface 13010 and/orsupport the staples as they are being ejected during a staple firingstroke.

Staple drivers 13500 are movably positioned within the staple cavitiesand are configured to support and drive the staples toward an anvilpositioned opposite the staple cartridge 13000 during a staple firingstroke. As shown in FIG. 34, each staple driver 13500 comprises a firststaple-supporting portion 13510, a second staple-supporting portion13520, and a third staple-supporting portion 13530. The firststaple-supporting portion 13510 is positioned within a staple cavity13100 to support and drive a staple within the first longitudinal row,the second staple-supporting portion 13520 is positioned within a staplecavity 13200 to support and drive a staple within the secondlongitudinal row, and the third staple-supporting portion 13530 ispositioned within a staple cavity 13300 to support and drive a staplewithin the third longitudinal row. The three staple-supporting portions13510, 13520, 13530 are connected together through a base 13550 of thestaple driver 13500. While the depicted staple drivers 13500 comprisethree staple-supporting portions, a staple driver can comprise anysuitable number of staple-supporting portions such as onestaple-supporting portion or two staple-supporting portions, forexample.

Staple drivers 13500 are configured to translate within the staplecavity during the staple firing stroke. As discussed in greater detailherein, the staple drivers 13500 are in an unfired position prior tobeing contacted by the firing member during the staple firing stroke.The staple drivers 13500 ultimately reach a fully-fired position as thestaple drivers 13500 are driven upwardly by the firing member. Once astaple driver 13500 reaches its fully-fired position, the firing membercontinues to translate distally until the firing member is no longer incontact with the staple driver 13500. As the firing member translatesdistally past the staple driver 13500, the staple driver 13500 may fallto a raised position in between the unfired position and the fully-firedposition.

To maintain the staple drivers at least in their raised position afterthe firing member is no longer in contact with the staple drivers, thestaple cartridge 13000 comprises driver retention members 13050 thatextend into and/or over the staple cavities to engage the staple driver13500 and hold the staple drivers 13500 in their raised position and/orfully-fired position. Each driver retention member 13050 extends into anindividual staple cavity 13200 within the second longitudinal row ofstaple cavities from the cartridge body 13008. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 35, the driver retention member 13050 is positioned inbetween the projections 13400 surrounding a portion of the staple cavity13200. An aperture 13525 is defined in a portion of the staple driver13500 which is configured to receive the driver retention member 13050.As the depicted driver retention member 13050 extends into the staplecavity 13200 from the second longitudinal row, the aperture 13525 isdefined in the second staple-supporting portion 13520.

The aperture 13525 can be located on any suitable portion of the stapledriver 13500. In various instances, a staple driver 13500 can have morethan one aperture 13525 defined therein. The aperture 13525 can beformed within the staple driver 13500 in any suitable manner. In variousinstances, the aperture 13525 is created by an injection molded pin.

In various instances, the second staple-supporting portion 13520comprises additional material than the first and third staple-supportingportions 13510, 13530 to account for the aperture 13525 defined therein.For example, referring to FIG. 34, the first staple-supporting portion13510 comprises a first end 13512 and a second end 13514. The first end13512 is configured to support a first leg of a staple, and the secondend 13514 is configured to support a second leg of the staple. The firstend 13512 and the second end 13514 are connected to one another by amiddle portion 13516. The middle portion 13516 is positioned a firstdistance below the first end 13512 and the second end 13514. The middleportion 13516 does not contact the staple when the staple is supportedby first staple-supporting portion 13510. The second staple-supportingportion 13520 comprises a first end 13522 and a second end 13524. Thefirst end 13522 is configured to support a first leg of a staple, andthe second end 13524 is configured to support a second leg of thestaple. The first end 13522 and the second end 13524 are connected toone another by a middle portion 13526. The middle portion 13526 ispositioned a second distance below the first end 13522 and the secondend 13524. The second distance is less than the first distance. In otherwords, the middle portion 13526 of the second staple-supporting portion13520 is larger to accommodate for the aperture 13525 defined therein.

The driver retention member 13050 comprises a flexible tab 13252 and aprojection 13255 extending from the tab 13252. As the firing memberdrives the staple driver 13500 from the unfired position toward thefully-fired position, the staple driver 13500 causes the tab 13252 ofthe driver retention member 13050 to resiliently bend out of the drivepath of the staple driver 13500. Stated another way, the upward forceapplied to the staple driver 13500 by the firing member is strong enoughto bias the driver retention member 13050 out of the drive path of thestaple driver 13500 to allow the staple driver 13500 to reach thefully-fired position. The projection 13255 is configured to be receivedby the aperture 13525 of the staple driver 13500 when the staple driver13500 is at and/or near its fully-fired position. In the depictedembodiment, the aperture 13525 is positioned above the projection 13255of the driver retention member 13050 when the staple driver 13500 is inthe fully-fired position. As the firing member translates distally pastthe staple driver 13500, the staple driver 13500 may begin to fall backtoward the unfired position. In such instances, the tab 13252 of thedriver retention member 13050 springs back into the drive path of thestaple driver 13500 such that the projection 13255 of the driverretention member 13050 is caught by and/or otherwise is engaged with theaperture 13525 of the staple driver 13500. The driver retention member13050 maintains the staple driver 13500 in its raised position when theprojection 13255 is received by the aperture 13525. As described ingreater detail with respect to FIGS. 31A-32B, the staple driver 13500does not prevent the firing member from retracting proximally past thestaple driver 13500 when the staple driver 13500 is locked in thisposition. The projection 13255 and the aperture 13525 can be configuredand/or arranged to hold the staple driver 13500 in its fully-firedposition or, alternatively, the projection 13255 and the aperture 13525can be configured and/or arranged to hold the staple driver 13500 in itsraised position between the unfired position and its fully-firedposition.

Turning now to FIGS. 36A and 36B, a staple cartridge 14000 comprising adeck surface 14010 and an elongate slot 14006 extending from a proximalend 14002 toward a distal end 14004 is depicted. The deck surface 14010of the staple cartridge 14000 is rounded and/or curved. Stated anotherway, the deck surface 14010 varies laterally with respect to alongitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 14006. The highest pointof the illustrated deck surface 14010 is adjacent to the elongate slot14006. The staple cartridge 14000 further comprises staple cavitiesarranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staplecavities 14100 extends alongside the elongate slot 14006. A secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 14200 extends alongside the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 14100, and a third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 14300 extends alongside the second longitudinal rowof staple cavities 14200. The staple cartridge 14000 further comprisesprojections that extend above the deck surface 14010. The projectionsdepicted on the staple cartridge 14000 are in the form of pocketextenders. A pocket extender supports the legs of the staple above thedeck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which theprojections are not pocket extenders. A first projection 14150 surroundsa portion of each of the staple cavities 14100 within the firstlongitudinal row, a second projection 14250 surrounds a portion of eachof the staple cavities 14200 within the second longitudinal row, and athird projection 14350 surrounds a portion of each of the staplecavities 14300 within the third longitudinal row. The projections areconnected to one another. For example, the first projections 14150connect to the second projections 14250 and/or the second projections14250 connect to the third projections 14350. In other instances, theprojections are separate and distinct from one another and are notconnected to one another except by the deck surface 14010.

The projections 14150, 14250, 14350 comprise a square or substantiallysquare geometry. Stated another way, the projections 14150, 14250, 14350surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that mimics thegeometry of a square. Among other things, the curves and/or edges of theprojections 14150, 14250, 14350 are not severe. In the depictedembodiment, the first projection 14150 surrounds a staple cavity 14100from within the first longitudinal row in its entirety. The secondprojection 14250 surrounds approximately three-quarters of a staplecavity 14200 from within the second longitudinal row. The thirdprojection 14350 is comprised of two projections that surround aproximal end 14302 and a distal end 14304 of a staple cavity 14300 fromwithin the third longitudinal row, wherein the two projections are notconnected. Overall, the third projection 14350 encompasses approximatelyhalf of the staple cavity 14300. In various instances, the firstprojection 14150 surrounds a staple cavity to a greater amount than thesecond projection 14250 and the third projection 14350. As shown in thedepicted embodiment, the degree to which the projections 14150, 14250,14350 encompass a particular staple cavity varies based on the lateralposition of the staple cavity with respect to the elongate slot 14006.While the depicted projections within a particular longitudinal row ofstaple cavities are all the same, it is envisioned that the projectionswithin the same longitudinal row can vary based on the position of aparticular staple cavity with respect to the proximal end 14002 and/orthe distal end 14004 of the staple cartridge 14000.

The projections 14150, 14250, 14350 shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B extendfrom the deck surface 14010 to different heights. More specifically, theheight of each projection 14150, 14250, 14350 varies based on thelocation of the projection 14150, 14250, 14350 and/or the staple cavity14100, 14200, 14300 with respect to the elongate slot 14006. In variousinstances, each projection 14150, 14250, 14350 comprises a distinctheight; however, any suitable height is envisioned to achieve aparticular tissue effect. In the depicted embodiment, the height of thefirst projection 14150 is greater than the height of the secondprojection 14250, and the height of the second projection 14250 is lessthan the height of the third projection 14350.

A staple cartridge 14500 comprising a deck surface 14510 and an elongateslot 14506 extending from a proximal end 14502 toward a distal end 14504is depicted in FIGS. 37A and 37B. The height of the deck surface 14510of the staple cartridge 14500 is rounded and/or curved. Stated anotherway, the deck surface 14510 varies laterally with respect to alongitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 14506. The highest pointof the illustrated deck surface 14510 is adjacent to the elongate slot14506. The staple cartridge 14500 further comprises staple cavitiesarranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staplecavities 14600 extends alongside the elongate slot 14506. A secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 14700 extends alongside the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 14600, and a third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 14800 extends alongside the second longitudinal rowof staple cavities 14700. The staple cartridge 14500 further comprisesprojections that extend above the deck surface 14510. The projectionsdepicted on the staple cartridge 14500 are in the form of pocketextenders. A pocket extender supports the legs of the staple above thedeck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which theprojections are not pocket extenders. A first projection 14650 surroundsa first portion of each of the staple cavities 14600 within the firstlongitudinal row, a second projection 14750 surrounds a second portionof each of the staple cavities 14700 within the second longitudinal row,and a third projection 14850 surrounds a third portion of each of thestaple cavities 14800 within the third longitudinal row. In variousinstances, the projections are connected to one another. However, in theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 37A and 37B, the projections are separateand distinct from one another.

The projections 14650, 14750, 14850 each comprise an elongate, ordiamond-like geometry. The projections 14650, 14750, 14850 surroundportions of the staple cavities in a manner that closely conforms to theborders of the staple cavities, which are also elongate and diamond-likein shape. Among other things, the curves and/or edges of the projections14650, 14750, 14850 form acute and/or obtuse angles. In the depictedembodiment, the first projection 14650 surrounds approximatelythree-quarters of a staple cavity 14600 from within the firstlongitudinal row. The second projection 14750 is comprised of twoprojections that surround a proximal end 14702 and a distal end 14704 ofa staple cavity 14700 from within the second longitudinal row, whereinthe two projections are not connected. Overall, the second projection14750 encompasses approximately half of the staple cavity 14700.Similarly, the third projection 14850 is comprised of two projectionsthat surround a proximal end 14802 and a distal end 14804 of a staplecavity 14800 from within the third longitudinal row, wherein the twoprojections are not connected. Overall, the third projection 14850encompasses approximately half of the staple cavity 14800. In variousinstances, the first projection 14650 surrounds a staple cavity to agreater degree than the second projection 14750 and the third projection14850. In various instances, the second projections 14750 and the thirdprojections 14850 surround staple cavities to the same and/or similardegree. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the degree to which theprojections 14650, 14750, 14850 encompass a particular staple cavity canvary based on the lateral position of the staple cavity with respect tothe elongate slot 14506. While the depicted projections within aparticular longitudinal row of staple cavities are all the same, it isenvisioned that the projections within the same longitudinal row canvary based on the position of a particular staple cavity with respect tothe proximal end 14502 and/or the distal end 14504 of the staplecartridge 14500.

The projections 14650, 14750, 14850 shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B extendfrom the deck surface 14510 to the same and/or similar heights. Morespecifically, the height of each projection 14650, 14750, 14850 issubstantially the same regardless of the location of the projection14650, 14750, 14850 and/or the staple cavity 14600, 14700, 14800 withrespect to the elongate slot 14506; however, any suitable height isenvisioned to achieve a particular tissue effect.

Turning now to FIGS. 38A and 38B, a staple cartridge 15000 comprising adeck surface 15010 and an elongate slot 15006 extending from a proximalend 15002 toward a distal end 15004 is depicted. The deck surface 15010of the staple cartridge 15000 is rounded and/or curved. Stated anotherway, the height of the deck surface 15010 varies laterally with respectto a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 15006. The highestpoint of the illustrated deck surface 15010 is adjacent to the elongateslot 15006. The staple cartridge 15000 further comprises staple cavitiesarranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staplecavities 15100 extends alongside the elongate slot 15006. A secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 15200 extends alongside the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 15100, and a third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 15300 extends alongside the second longitudinal rowof staple cavities 15200. The staple cartridge 15000 further comprisesprojections that extend above the deck surface 15010. The projectionsdepicted on the staple cartridge 15000 are in the form of pocketextenders. A pocket extender supports the legs of the staple above thedeck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which theprojections are not pocket extenders. A first projection 15150 surroundsa first portion of each of the staple cavities 15100 within the firstlongitudinal row, a second projection 15250 surrounds a second portionof each of the staple cavities 15200 within the second longitudinal row,and a third projection 15350 surrounds a third portion of each of thestaple cavities 15300 within the third longitudinal row. In the depictedembodiment, the projections are connected to one another. Morespecifically, a first projection 15150 is connected to a secondprojection 15250, and a second projection 15250 is connected to a thirdprojection 15350.

The projections 15150, 15250, 15350 comprise an elongate, ordiamond-like geometry. Stated another way, the projections 15150, 15250,15350 surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that closelyconforms to the borders of the staple cavities. In the depictedembodiment, the first projection 15150 surrounds a staple cavity 15100from within the first longitudinal row in its entirety. The secondprojection 15250 surrounds a staple cavity 15200 from within the secondlongitudinal row in its entirety. The third projection 15350 surrounds astaple cavity 15300 from within the third longitudinal row in itsentirety. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the degree to which theprojections 15150, 15250, 15350 encompass a particular staple cavity isthe same regardless of the lateral position of the staple cavity withrespect to the elongate slot 15006.

The projections 15150, 15250, 15350 shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B extendfrom the deck surface 15010 to different heights. Not only can theprojections 15150, 15250, 15350 vary based on the location of the staplecavity 15100, 15200, 15300 with respect to the elongate slot 15006, butthe height of the projection can vary across each individual staplecavity. Stated another way, the height of a particular projection is notuniform across the entire projection. In the depicted embodiment, theheight of the projection increases as the projection is spaced furtheraway from the lateral slot 15006 to account for the curved nature of thedeck surface 15010. More specifically, portions of a projection locatedcloser to the elongate slot 15006 are shorter than portions of aprojection located further from the elongate slot 15006.

A staple cartridge 15500 comprising a deck surface 15510 and an elongateslot 15506 extending from a proximal end 15502 toward a distal end 15504is depicted in FIGS. 39A and 39B. The deck surface 15510 of the staplecartridge 15500 is rounded and/or curved. Stated another way, the heightof the deck surface 15510 varies laterally with respect to alongitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 15506. The highest pointof the illustrated deck surface 15510 is adjacent to the elongate slot15506. The staple cartridge 15500 further comprises staple cavitiesarranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staplecavities 15600 extends alongside the elongate slot 15506. A secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 15700 extends alongside the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 15600, and a third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 15800 extends alongside the second longitudinal rowof staple cavities 15700. The staple cartridge 15500 further comprisesprojections 15900 that extend above the deck surface 15510. Theprojections 15900 depicted on the staple cartridge 15000 are in the formof pocket extenders. A pocket extender supports the legs of the stapleabove the deck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned inwhich the projections are not pocket extenders. The projections 15900span across the three longitudinal rows of staple cavities. For example,a projection 15900 encompasses a proximal end 15602 of a staple cavity15600 from the first longitudinal row, a distal end 15704 of a staplecavity 15700 from the second longitudinal row, and a proximal end 15802of a staple cavity 15800 from the third longitudinal row. Anotherprojection 15900 encompasses a distal end 15604 of a staple cavity 15600from the first longitudinal row, a proximal end 15702 of a staple cavity15700 from the second longitudinal row, and a distal end 15804 of astaple cavity 15800 from the third longitudinal row.

The projections 15900 comprise a diamond-like geometry. The projections15900 surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that closelyconforms to the borders of the staple cavities. The height of eachprojection 15900 varies as the projection 15900 extends laterally awayfrom the elongate slot 15506. As shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, an overallheight of the staple cartridge 15500 including the projections 15900 isthe same across each projection 15900. In order to achieve a levelsurface across the projection 15900 with the curved deck surface 15506,the height of the projection 15900 must vary as the projection 15900extends away from the elongate slot 15606. For example, in the depictedembodiment, the portion of the projection 15900 spaced furthest awayfrom the elongate slot 15506 extends a larger distance away from thedeck surface 15510 than the portion of the projection 15900 spacedclosest to the elongate slot 15506.

FIG. 40 illustrates an end effector 16000 for use with a surgicalstapling instrument. The end effector 16000 comprises an anvil 16010 anda staple cartridge jaw 16020. At least one of the anvil 16010 and thestaple cartridge jaw 16020 are movable with respect to one anotherbetween an open configuration and a closed configuration. The endeffector 16000 shown in FIG. 40 is in the closed configuration. Theanvil 16010 comprises a planar tissue-supporting surface 16014, whereinthe tissue-supporting surface 16014 comprises a plurality of stapleforming pockets 16012 defined therein.

A staple cartridge 16100 is configured to be replaceably seated in thestaple cartridge jaw 16020. The staple cartridge 16100 comprises anelongate slot 16106 that extends from a proximal end toward a distalend. A longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge 16100 is defined alongthe elongate slot 16106. The staple cartridge 16100 further comprises adeck surface 16108 that is rounded and/or curved. In various instances,the staple cartridge 16100 comprises a sloped deck surface. A tissue gapis defined between the deck surface 16108 and the tissue-supportingsurface 16014 of the anvil 16010. The tissue gap varies laterally withrespect to the elongate slot 16106. In the depicted embodiment, thetissue gap is the smallest at a point adjacent to the elongate slot16106. The tissue gap becomes larger at points spaced laterally awayfrom the elongate slot 16106.

The staple cartridge 16100 comprises staple cavities defined therein. Afirst longitudinal row of staple cavities 16100 extends alongside theelongate slot 16106. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 16200extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 16100 onthe same side of the elongate slot 16106. A third longitudinal row ofstaple cavities 16300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row ofstaple cavities 16200. As the longitudinal rows of staple cavities arespaced apart laterally, the tissue gap varies between the longitudinalrows. The tissue gap is the smallest between a staple cavity 16110within the first longitudinal row and the tissue-supporting surface16014 of the anvil 16010, while the tissue gap is the largest between astaple cavity 16130 within the third longitudinal row and thetissue-supporting surface 16014 of the anvil 16010.

The staple cartridge 16100 comprises projections 16400 extending upwardand/or toward the anvil 16010 from the curved deck surface 16108. Theprojections 16400 surround at least a portion of the staple cavities16110, 16120, 16130 and serve to, for example, prevent tissue supportedbetween the deck surface 16108 and the tissue-supporting surface 16014of the anvil 16010 from moving out of a desired position and/or providestability to a staple driver and/or a staple during a staple firingstroke. The degree to which the projections 16400 surround a particularstaple cavity can vary based on the position of the staple cavity in thestaple cartridge 16100. The projections 16400 can vary based on thelocation of the particular staple cavity with respect to the elongateslot 16106. For example, projections 16400 surrounding the staplecavities 16110 within the first longitudinal row can all be the same.However, the projections 16400 surrounding the staple cavities 16110within the first longitudinal row can be different from the projections16400 surrounding the staple cavities 16120, 16130 within the second andthird longitudinal rows. The projections 16400 can also vary based onthe location of the particular staple cavity with respect to theproximal end and/or the distal end of the staple cartridge 16100. Theprojections 16400 can vary in height, length, and/or geometry, forexample. Manners in which the projections 16400 can vary are discussedin greater detail herein.

In the depicted embodiment, a first projection 16400 a surrounds a firstportion of a staple cavity 16110 within the first longitudinal row ofstaple cavities. The first projection 16400 a extends a first distanceabove the deck surface 16108. A second projection 16400 b surrounds asecond portion of a staple cavity 16120 within the second longitudinalrow of staple cavities. The second projections 16400 b extends a seconddistance above the deck surface 16108. A third projection 16400 csurrounds a third portion of a staple cavity 16130 within the thirdlongitudinal row of staple cavities. The third projection 16400 cextends a third distance above the deck surface 16108. In variousinstances, the first distance is different than the second distance andthe third distance. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 40 and 41, thethird distance is greater than the first distance, and the firstdistance is greater than the second distance; however, the projections16400 can extend from the deck surface 16108 to any distance to achievea desired tissue-gripping effect.

Turning now to FIG. 41, the staple cartridge 16100 further comprises astaple driver 16500. The staple driver 16500 comprises a firststaple-supporting portion 16510, a second staple supporting portion16520, and a third staple-supporting portion 16530. The firststaple-supporting portion 16510 extends within a staple cavity 16110from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The secondstaple-supporting portion 16520 extends within a staple cavity 16120from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities. The thirdstaple-supporting portion 16530 extends within a staple cavity 16130from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities. Thestaple-supporting portions 16510, 16520, 16530 are connected togetherthrough a base 16550. The staple-supporting portions 16510, 16520, 16530all extend a distance away from the base 16550 of the staple driver16500. A top surface of each staple-supporting portion 16510, 16520,16530 is aligned with the top surfaces of the other staple-supportingportions 16510, 16520, 16530 of the staple drivers 16500 in the staplecartridge 16100.

The staple-supporting portions 16510, 16520, 16530 are configured totranslate within the respective staple cavities 16110, 16120, 16130during a staple firing stroke. As discussed in greater detail herein,the staple driver 16500 is moved between an unfired position and afully-fired position during the staple firing stroke. The staple driver16500 is shown in the unfired position near a base 16107 of the staplecartridge 16100 in FIG. 41. In the depicted embodiment, the base 16550of the staple driver 16500 aligns with and/or is flush with the base16107 of the staple cartridge 16100 when the staple driver 16500 is inits unfired position.

The staple driver 16500 is also shown in the fully-fired position nearthe deck surface 16108 of the staple cartridge 16100 in FIG. 41. In thefully-fired position, a portion of the staple driver 16500 is“overdriven” and extends above the deck surface 16108 of the staplecartridge 16100. As discussed in greater detail herein, the staplecartridge 16100 comprises projections 16400 extending from the decksurface 16108 toward the anvil 16010. The projections 16400 surroundingat least a portion of each staple cavity serve to, for example, furthercompress tissue while also providing support for the overdriven stapledrivers 16500. As discussed above, all of the projections 16400 extendfrom the deck surface 16108 to the different heights. The projections16400 serve to guide the legs of a staple during formation and/orprovide additional stability to the staple driver 16500 during thestaple firing stroke. The first projection 16400 a reduces the tissuegap between the first staple cavity 16110 and the tissue-supportingsurface 16014 of the anvil 16010 by the height of the first projection16400 a. Likewise, the second projection 16400 b reduces the tissue gapbetween the second staple cavity 16120 and the tissue-supporting surface16014 of the anvil 16010 by the height of the second projection 16400 b.The third projection 16400 c reduces the tissue gap between the thirdstaple cavity 16130 and the tissue-supporting surface 16014 of the anvil16010 by the height of the third projection 16400 c.

In the fully-fired position, the first staple-supporting surface 16510of the staple driver 16500 extends a first distance OD₁ above theprojection 16400 a, the second staple-supporting surface 16520 extends asecond distance OD₂ above the projection 16400 b, and the thirdstaple-supporting surface extends a third distance OD₃ above theprojection 16400 c. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 16108and the varied heights of the projections 16400, the first distance OD₁is different than the second distance OD₂ and the third distance OD₃. Inthe depicted embodiment, the third distance OD₃ is larger than thesecond distance OD₂, and the second distance OD₂ is larger than thefirst distance OD₁.

A staple is removably positioned within each staple cavity. In at leastone instance, the staples are deformed to the same, or at leastsubstantially the same, height. Uniform staple formation is achieved asthe overdrive distances OD₁, OD₂, OD₃ of the staple driver 16500 accountfor the variation in tissue gap along the deck surface 16108. As shownin FIG. 41, the distance between the first staple-supporting portion16510 of the staple driver 19150 and a corresponding staple formingpocket 16012 of the anvil 16010 is the same as the distance between thesecond staple-supporting portion 16520 and a corresponding stapleforming pocket 16012 when the staple driver 16500 is in the fully-firedposition. Likewise, the distances between the first and secondstaple-supporting surfaces 16510, 16520 and the corresponding stapleforming pockets 16012 are the same as the distance between the thirdstaple-supporting surface 16530 and a corresponding staple formingpocket 16012 when the staple driver 16500 is in the fully-firedposition. Thus, the staples positioned within all three longitudinalrows of staple cavities are configured to be formed and/or bent to thesame height.

As outlined above, a surgical end effector comprises an anvil and astaple cartridge jaw. In some embodiments, the staple cartridge jaw ismovable relative to the anvil while in other embodiments, the anvil ismovable relative to the staple cartridge jaw. When the anvil is in anopen position, the staple cartridge jaw is positioned on one side of thetissue that is to be stapled, and the anvil jaw is positioned on theopposite side. In such instances, the end effector is moved relative tothe tissue until the tissue is suitably positioned between the staplecartridge jaw and the anvil. To avoid the target tissue from beingpositioned proximal to the proximal-most staple cavities, the anvil maycomprise downwardly extending projections commonly referred to as“tissue stops” which serve to block the target tissue from beingpositioned too far proximal between the anvil and the staple cartridge.The tissue stops extend downward past the deck surface of the staplecartridge to prevent the tissue from being positioned too far proximalbetween the anvil and the staple cartridge. Stated another way, thetissue stops make sure that the tissue positioned between the jaws ofthe end effector is not accurately cut by a cutting member without beingstapled. The tissue stops are sized and configured such that tissue doesnot become accidentally pinched between the tissue stops and the lateralsides of the staple cartridge jaw. Tissue stops are discussed in greaterdetail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,140, entitled SURGICALSTAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUEPINCH, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Invarious instances, a staple cartridge comprises a tissue stop that worksin cooperation with the tissue stops of the anvil.

FIG. 42 illustrates a staple cartridge 17000 comprising an elongate slot17006 extending from a proximal end 17002 toward a distal end 17004. Alongitudinal axis is defined by the elongate slot 17006. The staplecartridge 17000 comprises three longitudinal rows of staple cavitiesdefined on each side of the elongate slot 17006. A first longitudinalrow of staple cavities 17100 extends alongside the elongate slot 17006.A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200 extends alongside thefirst longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100. A third longitudinalrow of staple cavities 17300 extends alongside the second longitudinalrow of staple cavities 17200. The staple cavities 17100 within the firstlongitudinal row are aligned with the staple cavities 17300 within thethird longitudinal row, whereas the staple cavities 17200 within thesecond longitudinal row are offset from the staple cavities 17100, 17300within the first and third longitudinal rows. The proximal-most staplecavity 17100, 17300 within the first and third longitudinal rows,respectively, are proximal to the proximal-most staple cavity 17200within the second longitudinal row. The staple cartridge 17000 furthercomprises a pair of tissue stops, or walls, 17600 that extend in betweenthe proximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 from the first and thirdlongitudinal rows. A dashed line extends laterally though the staplecartridge 17000 to represent the location of the tissue stops of anopposing anvil. As shown in FIG. 42, a proximal half of bothproximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 from the first and thirdlongitudinal rows is proximal to the dashed line and, owing to thetissue stops 17600, tissue is prevented from moving proximal respect tothese staple cavities. Due to the of proximal-most staple cavities beinglocated in the first longitudinal row, a tight seal is formed by astaple line as a cutting member cuts through the tissue positionedbetween the jaws of the end effector.

FIG. 43 illustrates a staple cartridge 17000′ comprising an elongateslot 17006 extending from a proximal end 17002 toward a distal end17004. A longitudinal axis is defined by the elongate slot 17006. Thestaple cartridge 17000 comprises three longitudinal rows of staplecavities defined on each side of the elongate slot 17006. A firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 17100 extends alongside the elongateslot 17006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200 extendsalongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100. A thirdlongitudinal row of staple cavities 17300 extends alongside the secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 17200. The staple cavities 17100within the first longitudinal row are aligned with the staple cavities17300 within the third longitudinal row, whereas the staple cavities17200 within the second longitudinal row are offset from the staplecavities 17100, 17300 within the first and third longitudinal rows. Theproximal-most staple cavity 17100, 17300 within the first and thirdlongitudinal rows, respectively, are distal to the proximal-most staplecavity 17200 within the second longitudinal row. A dashed line extendslaterally through the staple cartridge 17000′ to represent the locationof the tissue stops of an opposing anvil. Notably, the tissue stops thatinteract with the staple cartridge 17000′ are positioned distal to thetissue stops that interact with the staple cartridge 17000. Such adifference in the tissue stop location is due, at least in part, to thelocation of the proximal-most staple cavity 17100 within the firstlongitudinal row with respect to the proximal-most staple cavities fromother longitudinal rows.

A staple cartridge 19000 is depicted in FIG. 44. The staple cartridge19000 is configured to be seated in a channel of a cartridge jaw of asurgical end effector. The end effector comprises an anvil jaw 19050,which opposes the cartridge jaw when the end effector is in a closedconfiguration. At least one of the anvil jaw 19050 and the cartridge jaware movable with respect to one another between an open configurationand the closed configuration. The anvil 19050 comprises a plurality ofstaple forming pockets defined therein which are configured to deformthe staples ejected from the staple cartridge 19000.

The staple cartridge 19000 comprises a cartridge body 19008 including anelongate slot 19006 extending from a proximal end 19002 toward a distalend 19004 of the cartridge body 19008. The cartridge body 19008 furthercomprises a deck surface 19010. Staple cavities 19100, 19200, 19300 aredefined within the cartridge body 19008. The staple cavities 19100,19200, 19300 are arranged in three rows, wherein the three rows extendalong the same side of the elongate slot 19006. The first row of staplecavities 19100 extends adjacent to and/or alongside the elongate slot19006. The third row of staple cavities 19300 is positioned furthestaway from the elongate slot 19006, and the second row of staple cavities19200 extends in between the first row of staple cavities 19100 and thethird row of staple cavities 19300.

A longitudinal axis is defined along the elongate slot 19006 of thestaple cartridge 19000. As shown in FIG. 44, none of the staple cavities19100, 19200, 19300 within the three rows are oriented parallel to thelongitudinal axis. In other words, the axes defined by the staplecavities 19100, 19200, 19300 are not parallel to the longitudinal axisdefined by the elongate slot 19006. Each staple cavity 19100 within thefirst row defines an axis that is substantially parallel to the axisdefined by each staple cavity 19300 within the third row. Each staplecavity 19200 within the second row is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the staple cavities 19100, 19300 within the first andthird rows.

The deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 is rounded and/orcurved. Stated another way, the height of the deck surface 19010 varieslaterally with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongateslot 19006. The tallest point of the illustrated deck surface 19010 isadjacent to the elongate slot 19006 which extends down the centralportion of the cartridge body 19008. A portion of the staple cartridge19000 in FIG. 44 is shown without staple cavities to more clearlyillustrate the rounded nature and/or curvature of the deck surface19010.

Turning now to FIGS. 45 and 46, the staple cartridge 19000 is shown ingreater detail. The staple cartridge 19000 comprises projections 19400that extend above the deck surface 19010. Among other things, theprojections 19400 are configured to grip the tissue clamped between thejaws of the end effector and/or prevent the tissue from sliding relativeto the staple cartridge 19000. The projections 19400 depicted on thestaple cartridge 19000 are in the form of pocket extenders. The depictedpocket extenders provide support to the staples and/or the stapledrivers as the staples are driven out of the staple cartridge 19000toward the anvil 19050. A first projection 19400 a surrounds a first end19102 of the staple cavity 19100 and a second projection 19400 bsurrounds a second end 19104 of the staple cavity 19100. While theprojections 19400 are shown as surrounding only a portion of each staplecavity, it is envisioned that the projections 19400 can surround anydesired amount of a staple cavity, such as the entire staple cavity, forexample.

The projections 19400 shown in FIGS. 45, 46, and 52 are uniform inheight. In other words, all of the projections 19400 extend the samedistance from the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000.FIGS. 46 and 52 illustrate an end effector in the closed configuration.In the closed configuration, a tissue gap is defined between the decksurface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and the tissue-compressionsurface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to the curved nature of the decksurface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterally across the cartridge deck19010 with respect to the elongate slot 19006.

The anvil 19050 further comprises a plurality of staple forming pockets19060 defined in the tissue-compression surface 19056. Each stapleforming pocket 19060 corresponds to an individual staple cavity 19100,19200, 19300 of the staple cartridge 19000. As shown in FIG. 46, eachstaple forming pocket 19060 comprises a first pocket 19062 and a secondpocket 19064. The first pocket 19062 is aligned with a first end 19152of a staple driver, and the second pocket 19064 is aligned with thesecond end 19154 of the staple driver. The first leg of the staple isconfigured to contact the first pocket 19062 as the staple is beingformed while the second leg of the staple is configured to contact thesecond pocket 19064 is configured to contact the second leg of thestaple as the staple is being formed.

As shown in FIG. 46, a first tissue gap g_(tissue1) is defined betweenthe deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and thetissue-supporting surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. The first tissue gapg_(tissue1) is measured at a point adjacent to the elongate slot 19006.A second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is defined between the deck surface19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and the tissue-supporting surface19056 of the anvil 19050. The second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is measuredat a point spaced laterally away from the elongate slot 19006. Thesecond tissue gap g_(tissue2) is larger than the first tissue gapg_(tissue1). The presence of a smaller tissue gap adjacent to theelongate slot 19006 causes the tissue alongside the elongate slot 19006to be compressed to a greater degree than tissue spaced laterally awayfrom the elongate slot 19006. This is especially the case when thetissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector is substantiallyuniform in thickness. Such a greater compression causes bodily fluids todisperse away from the elongate slot 19006 which, among other things,promotes a uniform cut line and/or a secure staple line.

A staple driver 19150 from a first row of staple cavities 19100 is shownin FIGS. 46 and 52 in a fully-fired position. In the fully-firedposition, a portion of the staple driver 19150 is “overdriven” andextends above the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000. Asdiscussed in greater detail herein, the staple cartridge 19000 comprisesprojections 19400 extending from the deck surface 19010 toward the anvil19050 that surround at least a portion of the staple cavities. Theprojections 19400 serve to, for example, further compress tissue whilealso providing support for the overdriven staple drivers 19150 and/orthe staples driven by the staple drivers 19150. As discussed above, allof the projections 19400 extend from the deck surface 19010 to the sameultimate height h₁. As shown in FIG. 52, the first projection 19400 areduces the tissue gap g₁ by the height h₁ over the first projection19400 a at the point where the first staple leg of the staple is beingformed. Likewise, the second projection 19400 b reduces the tissue gapg₂ by the height h₁ over the second projection 19400 b at the pointwhere the second staple leg of the staple is being formed.

In the fully-fired position of the staple driver 19150, the first end19152 of the staple driver 19150 extends a first distance OD₁ above theprojection 19400 a while the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150extends a second distance OD₂ above the projection 19400 b. Due to thecurved nature of the deck surface 19010, the uniform height h₁ of theprojections 19400, and the orientation of the staple cavity 19100 withrespect to the longitudinal axis, the first distance OD₁ is differentthan the second distance OD₂. In the depicted embodiment, the seconddistance OD₂ is larger than the first distance OD₁.

The legs of the staple within the staple cavity 19100 are configured tobe formed to the same height, or at least substantially the same height,as one another. Uniform staple leg formation is achieved as theoverdrive distances OD₁, OD₂ of the staple driver 19150 account for thevariation in tissue gap along the staple cavity 19100. As shown in FIG.46, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple driver 19150and the first pocket 19062 of the forming pocket 19060 is the same asthe distance between the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150 andthe second pocket 19064 of the forming pocket 19060. Thus, the legs ofthe staple are formed and/or bent to the same degree.

Unlike the projections 19400 that extend above the deck surface 19010 ofthe staple cartridge 19000, the staple cartridge 19000′ shown in FIGS.47 and 48 comprises a smooth deck surface 19010. Stated another way,nothing projects and/or extends above the deck surface 19010. Stapledrivers 19150, 19250, 19350 are movably positioned within the staplecavities 19100, 19200, 19300. Each staple driver, such as staple driver19150, comprises a cradle 19156 configured to support a base of astaple. The cradle 19156 comprises a first end 19152 and a second end19154. The first end 19152 is configured to support the staple nearwhere the base of the staple meets a first leg of the staple. The secondend 19154 is configured to support the staple near where the base of thestaple meets a second leg of the staple.

FIG. 48 illustrates an end effector comprising the staple cartridge19000′ seated in the staple cartridge jaw. The end effector is in theclosed configuration. In the closed configuration, a tissue gap isdefined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000′and the tissue-compression surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to thecurved nature of the deck surface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterallyacross the cartridge deck 19010 with respect to the elongate slot 19006.In the depicted embodiment, the tissue gap is smallest at the pointadjacent to the elongate slot 19006. The tissue gap becomes larger atpoints spaced laterally away from the elongate slot 19006.

More specifically, a first tissue gap g_(tissue1) is defined between thedeck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000′ and thetissue-supporting surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. The first tissue gapg_(tissue1) is measured at a point adjacent to the elongate slot 19006.A second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is defined between the deck surface19010 of the staple cartridge 19000′ and the tissue-supporting surface19056 of the anvil 19050. The second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is measuredat a point spaced laterally apart from the elongate slot 19006. Thesecond tissue gap g_(tissue2) is larger than the first tissue gapg_(tissue1). The presence of a smaller tissue gap adjacent to theelongate slot 19006 results in the tissue alongside the elongate slot19006 being compressed to a greater degree than the tissue spacedlaterally away from the elongate slot 19006. This is especially truewhen the tissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector issubstantially uniform in thickness. Such a greater compression causesbodily fluids to disperse away from the elongate slot 19006 which, amongother things, promotes a uniform cut line and/or a secure staple line.

A staple driver 19150 from a first row of staple cavities 19100 is shownin FIG. 48 in a fully-fired position. In the fully-fired position, aportion of the staple driver 19150 is “overdriven” and extends above thedeck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000′. The first end 19152of the staple driver 19150 extends a first distance OD₁ above the decksurface 19006 while the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150extends a second distance OD₂ above the deck surface. Due to the curvednature of the deck surface 19010 and the orientation of the staplecavity 19100 with respect to the longitudinal axis, the first distanceOD₁ is different than the second distance OD₂. In the depictedembodiment, the second distance OD₂ is larger than the first distanceOD₁. Notably, the overdrive distances of the staple cartridge 19000′comprising a smooth and/or projection-free deck surface 19010 aregreater than the overdrive distances of the staple cartridge 19000comprising projections extending from the deck surface.

The legs of the staple within the staple cavity 19100 are configured tobe formed to the same height, or at least substantially the same height,as one another. Uniform staple leg formation is achieved as theoverdrive distances OD₁, OD₂ of the staple driver 19150 account for thevariation in tissue gap along the staple cavity 19100. As shown in FIG.48, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple driver 19150and the first pocket 19062 of the staple-forming pocket 19060 is thesame as the distance between the second end 19154 of the staple driver19150 and the second pocket 19064 of the staple-forming pocket 19060.Thus, the legs of the staple are formed and/or bent to the same degree.

FIGS. 49 and 50 depict a staple cartridge 19000″ that is similar in manyaspects to the staple cartridge 19000. For example, both staplecartridges 19000, 19000″ comprise a curved and/or rounded deck surface19010 profile with projections 19400 that extend above the deck surface.Moreover, the projections 19400 on the staple cartridge 19000″ are alsoin the form of pocket extenders. A first projection 19400 a surrounds afirst end 19102 of the staple cavity 19100 and a second projection 19400b surrounds a second end 19104 of the staple cavity 19100. While theprojections 19400 are shown as surrounding only a portion of each staplecavity, it is envisioned that the projections 19400 can surround anysuitable amount of a staple cavity, such as the entire staple cavity,for example.

The projections 19400 shown in FIGS. 49 and 50 extend from the decksurface 19010 to different heights. More specifically, the height ofeach projection 19400 varies based on the location of the projection19400 with respect to the elongate slot 19006. In various instances, theheight of the projection 19400 decreases as the projection 19400 ispositioned further away from the elongate slot 19006. As shown in FIG.49, a first projection 19400 a surrounding a first end 19102 of a staplecavity 19100 extends from the deck surface 19010 to a first height h₁. Asecond projection 19400 a surrounding a second end 19104 of the samestaple cavity 19100 extends from the deck surface 19010 to a secondheight h₂. The first height h₁ is different than the second height h₂.In the depicted embodiment, the second height h₂ is shorter than thefirst height h₁. Having a projection with a greater height closer to theknife slot 19006 can, among other things, facilitate the flow of fluidsaway from the cut line.

FIG. 50 illustrates an end effector comprising the staple cartridge19000″ seated in the staple cartridge jaw. The end effector is in theclosed configuration. In the closed configuration, a tissue gap isdefined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000″and the tissue-supporting surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to thecurved nature of the deck surface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterallyacross the cartridge deck 19010 with respect to the elongate slot 19006.As shown in FIG. 50, a first tissue gap g_(tissue1) is defined betweenthe deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000″ and thetissue-compression surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. The first tissuegap g_(tissue1) is measured at a point adjacent to the elongate slot19006. A second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is defined between the decksurface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000″ and the tissue-compressionsurface 19056 of the anvil 19050. The second tissue gap g_(tissue2) ismeasured at a point spaced laterally away from the elongate slot 19006.The second tissue gap g_(tissue2) is larger than the first tissue gapg_(tissue1). The presence of a smaller tissue gap adjacent to theelongate slot 19006 causes the tissue alongside the elongate slot 19006to be compressed to a greater degree than tissue spaced laterally awayfrom the elongate slot 19006. This is especially the case when thetissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector is substantiallyuniform in thickness. Such a greater compression causes bodily fluids todisperse away from the elongate slot 19006 which, among other things,promotes a uniform cut line and/or a secure staple line.

A staple driver 19150 from a first row of staple cavities 19100 is shownin FIG. 50 in a fully-fired position. In the fully-fired position, aportion of the staple driver 19150 is “overdriven” and extends above thedeck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000″. As discussed ingreater detail above, the staple cartridge 19000″ comprises projections19400 extending from the deck surface 19010 toward the anvil 19050 thatsurround at least a portion of the staple cavities. The projections19400 serve to, for example, further compress tissue while alsoproviding support for the overdriven staple drivers 19150 and/or thestaples driven by the staple drivers 19150. The projections 19400 extendfrom the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000″ to differentultimate heights.

In the fully-driven position of a staple driver 19150, the first end19152 of the staple driver 19150 extends a first distance OD₁ above theprojection 19400 a while the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150extends a second distance OD₂ above the projection 19400 b. Notably, theoverdrive distances of the staple cartridge 19000″ are less than theoverdrive distances of the staple cartridge 19000′ comprising a smoothdeck surface 19010. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010and the orientation of the staple cavity 19100 with respect to thelongitudinal axis, the first distance OD₁ is different than the seconddistance OD₂. In the depicted embodiment, the second distance OD₂ islarger than the first distance OD₁.

The legs of the staple within the staple cavity 19100 are configured tobe formed to the same height, or at least substantially the same height,as one another. Uniform staple leg formation is achieved as theoverdrive distances OD₁, OD₂ of the staple driver 19150 account for thevariation in the tissue gap along the staple cavity 19100. As shown inFIG. 50, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple driver19150 and the first pocket 19062 of the forming pocket 19060 is the sameas the distance between the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150and the second pocket 19064 of the forming pocket 19060. Thus, the legsof the staple are evenly formed.

FIG. 51 illustrates a portion of an end effector comprising a staplecartridge with projections 19400 having different heights. A firstprojection 19400 a extends from a first side 19102 of a staple cavity19100 to a first height h₁. A second projection 19400 b extends from asecond side 19104 of the staple cavity 19100 to a second height h₂. Thesecond height h₂ is different than the first height h₁. In the depictedembodiment, the second height h₂ is taller than the first height h₁;however, any suitable arrangement is envisioned. While the secondprojection 19400 b is taller than the first projection 19400 a, a topsurface 19402 a of the first projection 19400 a and a top surface 19402b of the second projection 19400 b are the same distance from atissue-supporting surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 when the end effectoris in the closed configuration. Stated another way, a tissue gapcomprises a uniform gap distance “g” across the staple cavity 19100.

As discussed above in greater detail, projections 19400 can providesupport to the staple and/or the staple driver as the staple driver andthe staple are driven toward the anvil. The greater height h₂ of thesecond projection 19400 b minimizes the overdrive of the second end19154 of the staple driver 19150. Minimizing the portion of the stapledriver 19150 that is exposed above the deck surface 19010 makes thestaple driver 19150 less susceptible to becoming dislodged and/ormisaligned during the staple firing stroke. The projections 19400 serveto, for example, enhance stability of the staple driver, maintainalignment of the staple driver as the staple firing stroke is performed,and/or prevent the staple driver from becoming dislodged.

FIGS. 53-56 illustrate the variability of tissue gripping featuresand/or projections across an individual staple cavity. As described ingreater detail herein, the staple cavity is defined within a cartridgebody. The cartridge body comprises a deck surface with a curved and/orrounded profile. Various parameters of the tissue gripping featuresand/or projections can be varied along the deck surface of a staplecartridge to achieve a desired tissue effect. Such parameters include,for example, the angle at which the projection extends from the decksurface, the height to which the projection extends, the length of thestaple cavity that the projection surrounds, and/or the radius theprojection curves around an end of the staple cavity. FIG. 53illustrates a portion of a staple cartridge 18000 comprising a pluralityof tissue gripping features. The staple cartridge 18000 comprises anelongate slot 18006 extending from a proximal end 18002 toward a distalend 18004. Similarly to the staple cartridge 19000, the staple cartridge18000 comprises a rounded and/or curved deck surface 18010. Statedanother way, the height of the deck surface 18010 varies laterally withrespect to the elongate slot 18006. The tallest point of the illustrateddeck surface 18010 is adjacent to the elongate slot 18006.

Staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are defined within a cartridge body18008. The staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are arranged in threerows, wherein the three rows extend along the same side of the elongateslot 18006. The first row of staple cavities 18100 extends adjacent toand/or alongside the elongate slot 18006. The third row of staplecavities 18300 is positioned furthest away from the elongate slot 18006,and the second row of staple cavities 18200 extends in between the firstrow of staple cavities 18100 and the third row of staple cavities 18300.

A longitudinal axis is defined by the elongate slot 18006. As shown inFIG. 53, none of the staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are orientedparallel to the longitudinal axis. In other words, the axes defined bythe staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are not parallel to thelongitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 18006. Each staple cavity18100 within the first row defines a first cavity axis. Each staplecavity 18200 within the second row defines a second cavity axis. Eachstaple cavity 18300 within the third row defines a third cavity axis. Asdepicted in FIG. 53, the first cavity axis is oriented in a differentdirection than the second cavity axis. The first cavity axis issubstantially parallel to the third cavity axis.

The staple cartridge 18000 comprises various projections 18400 extendingfrom the deck surface 18010. The projections 18400 surround a portion ofeach staple cavity to varying degrees. Similar to the above, theprojections 18400 can vary in size and/or geometry based on the positionand/or orientation on the cartridge body 18008. In various instances,and as depicted in FIG. 53, all of the projections 18400 surrounding thestaple cavities within a particular row are the same. In otherinstances, the projections 18400 surrounding the staple cavities withina particular row vary from one another. For example, the size and/orgeometry of the projections 18400 may vary based on the longitudinalposition of the individual staple cavity with respect to other staplecavities. The height of each projection can be different across thestaple cartridge, and even between the projections surrounding anindividual staple cavity.

Further to the above, a staple cavity 18100 comprises a proximal end18102 and a distal end 18104, wherein the distal end 18104 is closer tothe elongate slot 18006 than the proximal end 18102. A first projection18110 is aligned with the distal end 18104 and extends away from thedeck surface 18010 to a first height h₁. A second projection 18120 isaligned with the proximal end 18102 and extends away from the decksurface 18010 to a second height h₂. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst height h₁ is shorter than the second height h₂. In variousinstances, the projections positioned closer to the elongate slot 18006have a shorter height than projections positioned further away laterallyfrom the elongate slot 18006. For example, the projection 18310 of thestaple cavity 18300 within the third row extends a height h₃, which istaller than either heights h₁, h₂ of the projections 18110, 18120 fromthe staple cavity 18100 of the first row.

The angle that the projections extend away from the deck surface canalso be different. For example, the first projection 18110 of the staplecavity 18100 extends away from the deck surface 18010 at a first anglea₁, while the second projection 18120 extends away from the deck surface18010 at a second angle a₂. In the depicted embodiment, the first anglea₁ is perpendicular to the deck surface 18010, and the first angle a₁ isnot perpendicular to the deck surface 18010. The second projection 18120extends at a more sloped angle with respect to the deck surface 18010,while the first projection 18110 extends at a steeper and/or harsherangle with respect to the deck surface 18010. In various instances, theprojections positioned closer to the elongate slot 18006 extend awayfrom the deck surface of the staple cartridge at sharper angles thanprojections positioned further away laterally from the elongate slot18006. For example, the projection 18310 of the staple cavity 18300within the third row extends from the deck surface at an angle a₃, whichis smaller than either angle a₁, a₂ of the projections 18110, 18120 fromthe staple cavity 18100 of the first row. Other arrangements arepossible.

An overall length of the staple cavity that each projection covers canalso be a varied parameter. In various instances, the projection cansurround the entire length of the staple cavity. In other instances, theprojection can only surround a fraction of the length of the staplecavity. For example, the first projection 18110 of the staple cavity18100 surrounds a small portion of the staple cavity 18100, such as 10%,for example. The first projection 18110 covers a first length l₁ of thestaple cavity 18100. The second projection 18120, however, surrounds alarger portion of the staple cavity 18100, such as 30%, for example. Thesecond projection 18120 covers a second length l₂ of the staple cavity18100. Thus, the second length l₂ is larger than the first length l₁. Invarious instances, the projections positioned closer to the elongateslot 18006 surround a smaller portion of the staple cavity thanprojections positioned further away laterally from the elongate slot18006. For example, the projection 18310 of the staple cavity 18300within the third row surrounds a third length l₃, which happens to bethe entire length of the staple cavity 18300. The third length l₃ islarger than either length l₁, l₂ covered by the projections 18110, 18120from the staple cavity 18100 of the first row. Other arrangements arepossible.

The radius that a projection curves around an end of a staple cavity canbe varied across the staple cartridge. In various instances, theprojection can form a sharp curve around an end of the staple cavity. Inother instances, the projection can form a blunt curve around the end ofthe staple cavity. For example, the first projection 18110 of the staplecavity 18100 forms a curve with a first radius r₁ around the distal end18104 of the staple cavity 18100. The second projection 18120 of thestaple cavity 18100 forms a curve with a second radius r₂ around theproximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100. The first radius r₁ issmaller than the second radius r₂, resulting in the formation of asharper curve by the first projection 18110 surrounding the distal end18104 of the staple cavity 18100 than the curve formed by the secondprojection 18120 surrounding the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity18100. In various instances, the projections positioned laterally closerto the elongate slot surround an end of a staple cavity with a sharpercurve than the projections positioned further away laterally from theelongate slot 18006. For example, the projection 18310 of the staplecavity 18300 within the third row forms a curve with a third radius r₃around the edges of the staple cavity 18300. The third radius r₃ is lessthan either radii r₁, r₂ formed by the projections 18110, 18120 from thestaple cavity 18100 of the first row. Thus, the third radius r₃ isduller and/or less severe than either radii r₁, r₂. Other arrangementsare possible.

Other parameters, such as the geometry of the top surface of theprojections 19400, can be different to achieve a desired tissue effect.In various instances, the projections 19400 comprise rounded outer edgesto prevent and/or minimize trauma to the tissue supported between thejaws of the end effector. In other instances, the projections 19400comprise sharp outer edges to facilitate the grip between theprojections 19400 and the tissue supported between the jaws of the endeffector.

FIG. 54 illustrates projections surrounding portions of a staple cavity18100 from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in thestaple cartridge 18000. As discussed in greater detail above, the firstlongitudinal row extends alongside and/or adjacent to the elongate slot18006. A first projection 18400 a extends across a first length l_(1b)of a proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100, while a secondprojection 18400 b extends across a second length h a of the distal end18104 of the staple cavity 18100. The first length l_(1b) is longer thanthe second length l_(1a). As a result, the first projection 18400 asurrounds a larger portion of the staple cavity 18100 than the secondprojection 18400 b. The projections 18400 a, 18400 b extend from thedeck surface 18010 at a first angle a₁. In the depicted embodiment, theprojections 18400 a, 18400 b extend from the deck surface 18010 at thesame angle; however, it is envisioned that the projections 18400 a,18400 b can extend from the deck surface 18010 at any suitable angle tocontrol the flow of tissue. The first projection 18400 a comprises atissue-supporting edge that comprises a first radius of curvaturer_(1b), and the second projection 18400 b comprises a tissue-supportingedge that comprises a second radius of curvature r_(1a). In variousinstances, the first radius of curvature r_(1b) is different than thesecond radius of curvature r_(1a), but they could be the same in otherembodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the first radius of curvaturer_(1b) is larger than the second radius of curvature r_(1a). Statedanother way, a sharper edge is formed by the second projection 18400 b.As the second projection 18400 b is positioned closest to the elongateslot 18006, and thus, the cut line, a sharper edge may provide astronger grip on the tissue positioned between the jaws of the endeffector and prevent the tissue from moving out of a desired position,for example. As shown in FIG. 53, due to the orientation of the staplecavity 18100, a proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100 is furtheraway from the elongate slot 18006 of the staple cartridge 18000 than thedistal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100. For example, a portion ofthe projection 18400 b surrounding the proximal end 18102 of the staplecavity 18100 extends a first height h_(1b) above the deck surface 18010.A portion of the projection 18400 a surrounding the distal end 18104 ofthe staple cavity 18100 extends a second height h_(1a) above the decksurface 18010. The first height h_(1b) is different than the secondheight h_(1a), but could be the same in other embodiments. In thedepicted embodiment, the portion of the projection 18400 b surroundingthe proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100 extends further abovethe deck surface 18010 than the portion of the projection 18400 asurrounding the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100. Thedifference in height allows for the top surfaces of the projection 18400to be substantially level across the staple cavity 18100, as the decksurface 18010 is curved.

FIG. 55 illustrates projections surrounding portions of a staple cavity18200 from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in thestaple cartridge 18000. As discussed in greater detail above, the secondlongitudinal row extends alongside and/or adjacent to the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 18100. The second longitudinal rowis spaced further laterally from the elongate slot 18006 than the firstlongitudinal row. A first projection 18400 a extends across a length l₂of a proximal end 18202 of the staple cavity 18200, and a secondprojection 18400 b extends across a length l₂ of the distal end 18204 ofthe staple cavity 18200. In the depicted embodiment, the first length l₂and the second length l₂ are the same; however, any suitable length isenvisioned to achieve the desired result. As a result, the firstprojection 18400 a surrounds the same dimension of the staple cavity18200 as the second projection 18400 b. The projections 18400 a, 18400 bextend from the deck surface 18010 at a second angle az. In the depictedembodiment, the projections 18400 a, 18400 b extend from the decksurface 18010 at the same angle; however, it is envisioned that theprojections 18400 a, 18400 b can extend from the deck surface 18010 atany suitable angle to control the flow of tissue. The second angle a₂with which the projections of the second staple cavity 18200 extend fromthe deck surface 18010 is larger than the first angle a₁ with which theprojections of the first staple cavity 18100 extend from the decksurface 18010. Stated another way, the angle with which the projectionsextend from the deck surface 18010 become larger and/or less harsh asthe staple cavity is positioned laterally away from the elongate slot18006. The first projection 18400 a and the second projection 18400 bcomprise a tissue-supporting edge that comprises a second radius ofcurvature r₂. In the depicted embodiment, the radii of curvature r₂ isthe same for both projections 18400 a, 18400 b, but they could bedifferent in other embodiments. In various instances, the radii ofcurvature r₂ of the projections from the second staple cavity 18200 arelarger than the radii of curvature r_(1a), r_(1b) of the projectionsfrom the first staple cavity 18100. Stated another way, a sharper edgeis formed by the projections from the first staple cavity 18100. As thefirst staple cavity 18100 is positioned closest to the elongate slot18006, and thus, the cut line, a sharper edge may provide a strongergrip on the tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector andprevent the tissue from moving out of a desired position, for example.As shown in FIG. 53 the orientation of the staple cavity 18200 isopposite that of the staple cavity 18100. More specifically, a distalend 18204 of the staple cavity 18200 is further away from the elongateslot 18006 of the staple cartridge 18000 than the proximal end 18202 ofthe staple cavity 18200. For example, a portion of the projection 18400a surrounding the proximal end 18202 of the staple cavity 18200 extendsa first height h_(2a) above the deck surface 18010. A portion of theprojection 18400 b surrounding the distal end 18204 of the staple cavity18200 extends a second height h_(2b) above the deck surface 18010. Thefirst height h_(2a) is different than the second height h_(2b), butcould be the same in other embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, theportion of the projection 18400 b surrounding the distal end 18204 ofthe staple cavity 18200 extends further above the deck surface 18010than the portion of the projection 18400 a surrounding the proximal end18202 of the staple cavity 18200. The difference in height allows forthe top surfaces of the projection 18400 to be substantially levelacross the staple cavity 18200, as the deck surface 18010 is curved.

FIG. 56 illustrates a projection 18400 surrounding a staple cavity 18300from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the staplecartridge 18000. As discussed in greater detail above, the thirdlongitudinal row is laterally spaced the furthest from the elongate slot18006. The projection 18400 extends across a third length l₃ of thestaple cavity 18300. The third length l₃ is greater than any of thelengths l₁, l₂ of the projections 18400 surrounding portions of thestaple cavities from the first longitudinal row 18100 and the secondlongitudinal row 18200. In the depicted embodiment, the third length l₃is the entire circumference, and thus, the entire length of the staplecavity 18300. The projection 18400 extends from the deck surface 18010at a third angle a₃. The third angle a₃ with which the projection of thethird staple cavity 18300 extends from the deck surface 18010 is largerthan the first angle a₁ and the second angle a₂ with which theprojections of the first staple cavity 18100 extend from the decksurface 18010, respectively. Stated another way, the angle with whichthe projection extends from the deck surface 18010 become larger and/orless harsh as the staple cavity is positioned laterally away from theelongate slot 18006. The projection 18400 comprises a tissue-supportingedge that comprises a third radius of curvature r₃. In variousinstances, the radii of curvature r₃ of the projection from the thirdstaple cavity 18300 is larger than the radii of curvature r_(1a),r_(1b), r₂ of the projections from the first staple cavity 18100 and thesecond staple cavity 18200. As a result, a sharper edge is formed by theprojections from the first staple cavity 18100. As the first staplecavity 18100 is positioned closest to the elongate slot 18006, and thus,the cut line, a sharper edge may provide a stronger grip on the tissuepositioned between the jaws of the end effector. Such a stronger gripmay prevent the tissue from moving out of a desired position, forexample. As shown in FIG. 53, due to the orientation of the staplecavity 18300, a proximal end 18302 of the staple cavity 18300 is furtheraway from the elongate slot 18006 of the staple cartridge 18000 than thedistal end 18304 of the staple cavity 18300. The height of theprojection 18400 across the staple cavity 18300 is non-uniform. Aportion of the projection 18400 surrounding the proximal end 18302 ofthe staple cavity 18300 extends a first height h_(3b) above the decksurface 18010. A portion of the projection 18400 surrounding the distalend 18304 of the staple cavity 18300 extends a second height h_(3a)above the deck surface 18010. The first height h_(3b) is different thanthe second height h_(3a), but they could be the same in otherembodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the projection18400 surrounding the proximal end 18302 of the staple cavity 18300extends further above the deck surface 18010 than the portion of theprojection 18400 surrounding the distal end 18304 of the staple cavity18300. The difference in height allows for the top surface of theprojection 18400 to be substantially level across the staple cavity18300, as the deck surface 18010 is curved.

The entire disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2015/0297222, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVINGDIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, which published on Oct. 25, 2015, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0074198, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,which published on Mar. 29, 2012, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013/0256379, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING CARTRIDGE WITHLAYER RETENTION FEATURES, which published on Oct. 3, 2013, areincorporated by reference herein.

Notably, the above-described arrangements with could also be adapted foruse with embodiments in which the staple cartridge jaw is rotatedrelative to the anvil.

A surgical instrument 50000 comprising a powered articulation system50100 is illustrated in FIGS. 154-156. The surgical instrument 50000further comprises a housing, a shaft 50200 extending from the housing,and an end effector extending from the shaft 50200. In at least oneembodiment, the end effector comprises a staple cartridge. The shaft50200 defines a longitudinal shaft axis SA and comprises a longitudinalshaft portion 50210, a first articulatable shaft portion 50220 extendingfrom the longitudinal shaft portion 50210, and a second articulatableshaft portion 50240 extending from the first articulatable shaft portion50220. The end effector extends from the second articulatable shaftportion 50240. The first articulatable shaft portion 50220 is rotatablyconnected to the longitudinal shaft portion 50210 by a firstarticulation joint 50230 defining a first articulation axis AA₁ that isorthogonal to the longitudinal shaft axis SA. In at least oneembodiment, the first articulatable shaft portion 50220 is rotatablyconnected to the longitudinal shaft portion 50210 by a pin or pins, forexample. The second articulatable shaft portion 50240 is rotatablyconnected to the first articulatable shaft portion 50220 by a secondarticulation joint 50250 defining a second articulation axis AA₂ that isorthogonal to the first articulation axis AA₁ and the shaft axis SA. Inat least one embodiment, the second articulatable shaft portion 50240 isrotatably connected to the first articulatable shaft portion 50220 by apin or pins, for example.

Further to the above, the first articulatable shaft portion 50220comprises a first hypoid drive gear 50222 defined thereon. The firstdrive gear 50222 is centered about the first articulation axis AA₁ andcomprises a first set of radial teeth 50224. At least a portion of thefirst set of radial teeth 50224 are positioned distal to the firstarticulation axis AA₁. However, other embodiments are envisioned wherethe entire first set of radial teeth 50224 are positioned distal to thefirst articulation axis AA₁. In any event, the surgical instrument 50000further comprises a first rotary drive shaft 50300 including a firstbevel gear 50310 at its distal end. The first bevel gear 50310 isengaged with the first set of radial teeth 50224 of the first drive gear50222 such that when the first rotary drive shaft 50300 is rotated, thefirst drive gear 50222 and the first articulatable shaft portion 50220are rotated about the first articulation axis AA₁. The first rotarydrive shaft 50300 is parallel to the longitudinal shaft axis SA andorthogonal to the first articulation axis AA₁.

Further to the above, the second articulatable shaft portion 50240comprises a second hypoid drive gear 50242 defined thereon. The seconddrive gear 50242 is centered about the second articulation axis AA₂ andcomprises a second set of radial teeth 50244 (see FIG. 154). At least aportion of the second set of radial teeth 50244 are positioned distal tothe second articulation axis AA₂. However, other embodiments areenvisioned where the entire second set of radial teeth 50244 arepositioned distal to the second articulation axis AA₂. In any event, thesurgical instrument 50000 further comprises a second rotary drive shaft50400 including a second bevel gear 50410 at its distal end. The secondbevel gear 50410 is engaged with the second set of radial teeth 50244 ofthe second drive gear 50242 such that when the second rotary drive shaft50400 is rotated, the second drive gear 50242 and the secondarticulatable shaft portion 50240 are rotated about the secondarticulation axis AA₂. When the first articulatable shaft portion 50220has not been rotated about the first articulation axis AA₁, the secondrotary drive shaft 50400 is parallel to the longitudinal shaft axis SAand orthogonal to the first articulation axis AA₁ and the secondarticulation axis AA₂.

Further to the above, the first rotary drive shaft 50300 and the secondrotary drive shaft 50400 are operable independently of one another. Thefirst rotary drive shaft 50300 is driven by a first electric motor andthe second rotary drive shaft 50400 is driven by a second electricmotor. The first and second electric motors are positioned in thehousing of the surgical instrument 50000, but could be positioned in anysuitable location. Because the first rotary drive shaft 50300 and thesecond rotary drive shaft 50400 are operable independently of oneanother, the end effector is articulatable relative to the shaft 50200about multiple axes (i.e., the first articulation axis AA₁ and thesecond articulation axis AA₂) simultaneously or independently. Further,the arrangement between the first and second rotary drive shafts 50300,50400 and the first and second drive gears 50222, 50242 does not allowthe powered articulation system 50100 to be back driven. In other words,when the first and second rotary drive shafts 50300, 50400 are rotated aspecified amount, the first and second articulation joints 50230, 50250will remain locked in position regardless of the external forces appliedto first or second articulatable shaft portions 50220, 50240.

FIG. 157 illustrates another powered articulation system 50100′ that issimilar to the powered articulation system 50100 depicted in FIGS.154-156 in many respects. The powered articulation system 50100′comprises a first worm gear 50310′ at the distal end of the first rotarydrive shaft 50300. In at least one embodiment, the powered articulationsystem 50100′ further comprises a universal joint to couple the firstworm gear 50310′ and the first rotary drive shaft 50300, for example. Inany event, the first worm gear 50310′ is engaged with the first set ofradial teeth 50224 on the first hypoid drive gear 50222. Thus, rotationof the first rotary drive shaft 50300 will result in rotation of thefirst articulatable shaft portion 50220 about the first articulationaxis AA₁. The powered articulation system 50100′ further comprises asecond worm gear 50410′ that is rotatable by the second rotary driveshaft 50400. The second worm gear 50410′ is angled transverse to thelongitudinal shaft axis SA. In at least one instance, the angle isapproximately 45 degrees, for example. In at least one embodiment, auniversal joint is utilized to couple the second worm gear 50410′ andthe second rotary drive shaft 50400, for example. In any event, thesecond set of radial teeth 50244 of the second hypoid drive gear 50242are engaged with the second worm gear 50410′, and, thus, rotation of thesecond rotary drive shaft 50400 will result in the rotation of thesecond articulatable shaft portion 50240 about the second articulationaxis AA₂.

Further to the above, the first worm gear 50310′ engages more of thefirst set of radial teeth 50224 of the first hypoid drive gear 50222than the first bevel gear 50310 depicted in FIGS. 154-156. Further, thesecond worm gear 50410′ engages more of the second set of radial teeth50244 of the second hypoid drive gear 50242 than the second bevel gear50410 depicted in FIGS. 154-156. The additional thread engagement of thefirst worm gear 50310′ and the second worm gear 50410′ with theirrespective hypoid drive gears 50222, 50242 aids in preventing the hypoiddrive gears 50222, 50242 from being back driven when external forces areapplied to the end effector.

FIG. 158 illustrates another powered articulation system 50100″ that issimilar to the powered articulation systems 50100 and 50100′ depicted inFIGS. 154-157 in many respects. The powered articulation system 50100″comprises a second worm gear 50410″ that is rotatable by the secondrotary drive shaft 50400. The second worm gear 50410″ is perpendicularto the longitudinal shaft axis SA. In at least one embodiment, auniversal joint is utilized to couple the second worm gear 50410″ andthe second rotary drive shaft 50400, for example. In any event, thesecond set of radial teeth 50244 of the second hypoid drive gear 50242are engaged with the second worm gear 50410″, and, thus, rotation of thesecond rotary drive shaft 50400 will result in the rotation of thesecond articulatable shaft portion 50240 about the second articulationaxis AA₂.

Further to the above, the second worm gear 50410″ engages more of thesecond set of radial teeth 50244 of the second hypoid drive gear 50242than the second bevel gear 50410 depicted in FIGS. 154-156 and thesecond worm gear 50410′ depicted in FIG. 157. The additional threadengagement of the second worm gear 50410″ with the hypoid drive gear50242 aids in preventing the hypoid drive gear 50242 from being backdriven when external forces are applied to the end effector.

A surgical instrument 51000 comprising a powered articulation system51100 is illustrated in FIGS. 159-161. The surgical instrument 51000further comprises a housing, a shaft 51200 extending from the housing,and an end effector 51300 extending from the shaft 51200. In at leastone embodiment, the end effector 51300 comprises a staple cartridge. Theshaft 51200 defines a longitudinal shaft axis SA and comprises a distalshaft portion 51210 at its distal end. The surgical instrument furthercomprises a first articulation joint 51400 and a second articulationjoint 51500 configured to rotatably connect the end effector 51300 tothe shaft 51200 such that the end effector 51300 is rotatable relativeto the shaft 51200 about two axes. More specifically, an articulatableshaft portion 51600 is rotatably connected to the distal shaft portion51210 to define the first articulation joint 51400 and the end effector51300 is rotatably connected to the articulatable shaft portion 51600 todefine the second articulation joint 51500. The articulatable shaftportion 51600 is rotatable relative to the shaft 51200 about a firstarticulation axis AA₁ that is orthogonal to the shaft axis SA. The endeffector 51300 is rotatable relative to the articulatable shaft portion51600 about a second articulation axis AA₂ that is orthogonal to thefirst articulation axis AA₁ and the shaft axis SA. In at least oneembodiment, the articulatable shaft portion 51600 is rotatably connectedto the distal shaft portion 51210 by a pin and the articulatable shaftportion 51600 is rotatably connected to the end effector 51300 by a pin,for example.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 51000 further comprises afirst cable actuator 51700 and a second cable actuator 51800. A firstpair of articulation cables 51710 extends from the first cable actuator51700 on either side of the first cable actuator 51700. The first pairof articulation cables 51710 extend beyond the first articulation axisAA₁ and are operably engaged with the articulatable shaft portion 51600.The first pair of articulation cables 51710 are configured to translatetogether when the first cable actuator 51700 is translated proximallyand distally.

Further to the above, the second cable actuator 51800 comprises adriving portion 51820 and a fixed portion on opposite sides of the shaft51200. The surgical instrument 51000 further comprises a secondarticulation cable 51810 comprising a first end 51812 that is attachedto the driving portion 51820 of the cable actuator 51800 and a secondend that is attached to the fixed portion of the second cable actuator51800 to form a continuous loop. More specifically, the secondarticulation cable 51810 defines a loop which extends from the drivingportion 51820 of the second cable actuator 51800, through the firstarticulation joint 51400, beyond the second articulation axis AA₂,around the distal end of the articulatable shaft portion 51600, backthrough the first articulation joint 51400 and into the fixed portion ofthe second cable actuator 51800. The fixed portion of the second cableactuator 51800 acts as a spring or plunger when the driving portion51820 of the second cable actuator 51800 is translated such thatmovement of the driving portion 51820 is resisted, but not prevented. Toarticulate the end effector 51300, the second articulation cable 51810is pushed or pulled through the continuous loop discussed above. Otherembodiments are envisioned where the second cable actuator 51800comprises a push actuator and a pull actuator on either side of theshaft 51200. In such an embodiment, the push and pull actuators areactuated in opposite directions to push or pull the second articulationcable 51810 through the continuous loop.

The first and second cable actuators 51700, 51800 are configured to beindependently translated relative to the shaft 51200 in response toactuations within the housing. In at least one embodiment, the housingcomprises a motor configured to output rotary motions and the first andsecond cable actuators 51700, 51800 are operably responsive to therotary motions. However, other embodiments are envisioned with twomotors in the housing which generate separate rotary motions fortranslating the first and second cable actuators 51700, 51800.

In use, further to the above, the articulatable shaft portion 51600 andthe end effector 51300 extending therefrom are rotated about the firstarticulation axis AA₁ when the first pair of articulation cables 51710are actuated by the first cable actuator 51700. More specifically,actuation of the first cable actuator 51700 in a proximal direction willrotate the articulatable shaft portion 51600 and the end effector 51300about the first articulation axis AA₁ in a clockwise CW direction andactuation of the first cable actuator 51700 in a distal direction willrotate the articulatable shaft portion 51600 and the end effector 51300about the first articulation axis AA₁ in a counter-clockwise CCWdirection. The end effector 51300 is rotated about the secondarticulation axis AA₂ when the second articulation cable 51810 isactuated by the driving portion 51820 of the second cable actuator51800. More specifically, the end effector 51300 comprises a bossportion 51310 operably engaged with the second articulation cable 51810.When the second articulation cable 51810 is actuated the boss portion51310 is rotated about the second articulation axis AA₂ which results inrotation of the end effector 51300 about the second articulation axisAA₂.

Further to the above, the boss portion 51310 of the end effector 51300further comprises a set of radial teeth 51312 defined on the proximalend thereof. The surgical instrument 51000 further comprises a distalarticulation lock member 51314 configured to engage the set of radialteeth 51312 to prevent articulation of the end effector 51300 about thesecond articulation axis AA₂ when the distal articulation lock 51314 isengaged with the set of radial teeth 51312. The distal articulation lockmember 51314 is translatable via an electric motor 51316, but couldcomprises any suitable motivator. The distal articulation lock memberand the electric motor are positioned distally with respect to the firstarticulation axis AA₁. In use, the end effector 51300 cannot be rotatedabout the second articulation axis AA₂ when the distal articulation lockmember 51314 is engaged with the radial teeth 51312, and the endeffector 51300 can be rotated about the second articulation axis AA₂when the distal articulation lock member 51314 is not engaged with theset of radial teeth 51312.

Further to the above, the articulatable shaft portion 51600 comprises asecond set of radial teeth on the proximal end of the articulatableshaft portion 51600. At least a portion of the second set of radialteeth are positioned proximal to the first articulation axis AA₁. Thesurgical instrument 51000 further comprises a proximal articulation lockmember configured to selectively engage the second set of radial teethon the articulatable shaft portion 51600 to prevent rotation of thearticulatable shaft portion 51600 and end effector 51300 about the firstarticulation axis AA₁. The proximal articulation lock member istranslatable via an electric motor. The proximal articulation lockmember and the electric motor are positioned proximally with respect tothe first articulation axis AA₁.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 51000 further comprises aflexible firing actuator 51900 extending from the housing, through theshaft 51200, through the first and second articulation joints 51400,51500 and into the end effector 51300. The flexible firing actuator51900 is configured to perform an end effector function in response toan actuation from the housing of the surgical instrument 51000. Asillustrated in FIGS. 159 and 160, the first pair of articulation cables51710 and the second articulation cable 51810 are positioned on theouter perimeter of the surgical instrument 51000 leaving space along theshaft axis SA of the surgical instrument for the flexible firingactuator 51900 to extend through. Such an arrangement allows theflexible firing actuator 51900 to be employed with an end effector thatis rotatable about two different axis (i.e., the first and secondarticulation axis AA₁ and AA₂) for example.

A surgical instrument 52000 comprising a powered articulation system52100 is illustrated in FIG. 162. The surgical instrument 52000 furthercomprises a housing, a shaft 52200 defining a shaft axis SA andextending from the housing, an articulatable shaft portion 52300extending from the shaft 52200, and an end effector 52400 extending fromthe articulatable shaft portion 52300. A first articulation joint 52500is between the shaft 52200 and the articulatable shaft portion 52300 anda second articulation joint 52600 is between the articulatable shaftportion 52300 and the end effector 52400. The first articulation joint52500 defines a first articulation axis AA₁ that is orthogonal to theshaft axis SA. The second articulation joint 52600 defines a secondarticulation axis AA₂ that is orthogonal to the first articulation axisAA₁ and the shaft axis SA.

The surgical instrument 52000 further comprises a first pair ofarticulation cables 52210 extending from the shaft 52200 and operablyengaged with the articulatable shaft portion 52300. The articulatableshaft portion 52300 comprises a rotary disc 52310 defined on itsproximal end and one of the first pair of articulation cables 52210 isattached to one side of the rotary disc 52310 and the other of the firstpair of articulation cables 52210 is attached to the other side therotary disc 52310. The first pair of articulations cables 52210 areconfigured to rotate the articulatable shaft portion 52300 about thefirst articulation axis AA₁ when actuated. In other words, one of thefirst pair of articulation cables 52210 is driven distally and/or theother of the first pair of articulation cables 52210 is drivenproximally to rotate the rotary disc 52310 and therefore rotate thearticulatable shaft portion 52300 about the first articulation axis AA₁.The first pair of articulation cables 52210 are operably responsive toan electric motor positioned within the housing, for example.

Further to the above, the articulatable shaft portion 52300 comprises aset of radial teeth 52320 defined on the proximal end of the rotary disc52310. At least a portion of the set of radial teeth 52320 arepositioned proximal to the first articulation axis AA₁. The surgicalinstrument 52000 further comprises a proximal articulation lock member52330 configured to selectively engage the set of radial teeth 52320 onthe articulatable shaft portion 52300 to prevent rotation of thearticulatable shaft portion 52300 about the first articulation axis AA₁when the proximal articulation lock member 52330 is engaged with the setof radial teeth 52320. The proximal articulation lock member 52330 istranslatable via an electric motor 52340, or any suitable motivator. Theproximal articulation lock member 52330 and the electric motor 52340 arepositioned proximally with respect to the first articulation axis AA₁.When the first pair of articulation cables 52210 are actuated to rotatethe articulatable shaft portion 52300 about the first articulation axisAA₁, the proximal articulation lock member 52330 is automaticallydisengaged with the set of radial teeth 52320 to permit articulation ofthe articulatable shaft portion 52300 about the first articulation axisAA₁.

The surgical instrument 52000 further comprises a second pair ofarticulation cables 52410 extending from the shaft 52200 and operablyengaged with the end effector 52400. More specifically, one of thesecond pair of articulation cables 52410 is attached to the end effector52400 on one side of the second articulation axis AA₂ and the other oneof the second pair of articulation cables 52410 is attached to the endeffector 52400 on the other side of the second articulation axis AA₂.The second pair of articulations cables 52410 are configured to rotatethe end effector 52400 about the second articulation axis AA₂ whenactuated. In other words, one of the second pair of articulation cables52410 is driven distally and/or the other of the second pair ofarticulation cables 52410 is driven proximally to rotate the endeffector 52400 relative to the articulatable shaft portion 52300 aboutthe second articulation axis AA₂. The second pair of articulation cables52410 are operably responsive to an electric motor positioned within thehousing.

Further to the above, the end effector 52400 comprises a set of radialteeth 52420 defined on the proximal end of the end effector 52400. Atleast a portion of the set of radial teeth 52420 are positioned proximalto the second articulation axis AA₂. The surgical instrument 52000further comprises a distal articulation lock member 52430 configured toengage the set of radial teeth 52420 on the end effector 52400 toprevent rotation of the end effector 52400 about the second articulationaxis AA₂ when the distal articulation lock member 52430 is engaged withthe set of radial teeth 52420. The distal articulation lock member 52430is translatable via an electric motor 52440, or any suitable motivator.When the second pair of articulation cables 52410 are actuated to rotatethe end effector 52400 about the second articulation axis AA₂, thedistal articulation lock member 52430 is automatically disengaged withthe set of radial teeth 52420 to permit articulation.

A surgical instrument 53000 comprising a powered articulation system53100 is illustrated in FIGS. 163-167. The surgical instrument 53000comprises a housing, a shaft 53200 defining a shaft axis SA andextending from the housing, an articulatable shaft portion 53300extending from the shaft 52200, and an end effector 53400 extending fromthe articulatable shaft portion 53300. A first articulation joint 53500is between the shaft 53200 and the articulatable shaft portion 53300 anda second articulation joint 53600 is between the articulatable shaftportion 53300 and the end effector 53400. The first articulation joint53500 defines a first articulation axis AA₁ that is orthogonal to theshaft axis SA. The second articulation joint 53600 defines a secondarticulation axis AA₂ that is orthogonal to the first articulation axisAA₁ and the shaft axis SA.

The powered articulation system 53100 comprises a first set ofarticulation cables comprising a right articulation cable 53210 and aleft articulation cable 53212. The right articulation cable 53210 isoperably engaged with a first outer articulation gear 53310 a that isrotatably mounted to the distal end of the shaft 53200 and rotatableabout the first articulation axis AA₁. The left articulation cable 53212is operably engaged with a second outer articulation gear 53310 b thatis mounted to the distal end of the shaft 53200 and rotatable about thefirst articulation axis AA₁. When the right and left articulation cables53210, 53212 are actuated, the first and second outer articulation gears53310 a, 53310 b are rotated.

Further to the above, the first outer articulation gear 53310 acomprises a first gear slot 53312 and the second outer articulationgears 53310 a comprises a second gear slot 53314. A first pin 53900extends through a first opening in the proximal end of a first slidermember 53700, through a first slot 53240 a defined in the shaft 53200and through the first gear slot 53312 of the first outer articulationgear 53310 a. A second pin 53910 extends through a second opening 53810in the proximal end of a second slider member 53800, through a secondslot 53240 b defined in the shaft 53200 and through the second gear slot53314 of the second outer articulation gear 53310 b. The distal ends ofthe first slider member 53700 and the second slider member 53800 areslidably fixed to either side of the end effector 53400 within a groove53410 defined in the top surface of the end effector 53400. Morespecifically, the first slider member 53700 is attached to the groove53410 by a first pin 53420 and the second slider member 53800 isattached to the groove 53410 by a second pin 53430. The first slidermember 53700 is fixed to the end effector 53400 on one side of thesecond articulation axis AA₂ and the second slider member 53800 is fixedto the end effector 53400 on the other side of the second articulationaxis AA₂ Other embodiments are envisioned with different pin and groovearrangements between the slider members 53700, 53800 and the endeffector 53400 to accommodate predetermined ranges of articulation forthe end effector 53400 about the second articulation axis AA₂.

In use, when the right and left articulation cables 53210, 53212 areactuated in opposite directions, the first outer articulation gear 53310a will rotate in a first direction and the second outer articulationgear 53310 b will rotate in a second direction opposite the firstdirection. Further, when the first outer articulation gear 53310 a andthe second outer articulation gear 53310 b are rotated in oppositedirections, the first slider member 53700 and the second slider member53800 translate in opposite directions and the end effector 53400 isrotated about the second articulation axis AA₂, as discussed in greaterdetail below.

Further to the above, when the first outer gear 53310 a engaged with theright articulation cable 53210 is rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection CCW, the first gear slot 53312 of the first outer gear 53310 aapplies a camming force to the first pin 53900 forcing the first pin53900 to move radially outward within the first gear slot 53312. Asdiscussed above, the first pin 53900 is positioned through the firstslot 53240 a in the shaft 53200 and is therefore limited to proximal anddistal translation within the first slot 53240 a. Thus, when the firstouter gear 53310 a is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction CCW,the first pin 53900 translates proximally within the first slot 53240 aof the shaft 53200 and the first slider member 53700 translatesproximally as illustrated in FIG. 165. When the second outer gear 53310b engaged with the left articulation cable 53212 is rotated in theclockwise direction CW, the second gear slot 53314 of the second outergear 53310 b applies a camming force to the second pin 53910 forcing thesecond pin 53910 to move radially outward within the second gear slot53312 of the second outer gear 53310 b. As discussed above, the secondpin 53910 is positioned through the second slot 53240 b in the shaft53200 and is therefore limited to proximal and distal translation withinthe second slot 53240 b. Thus, when the second outer gear 53310 b isrotate in the clockwise direction CW, the second pin 53910 translatesdistally within the second slot 53240 b and the second slider member53800 is translated distally as illustrated in FIG. 165. Similarly, whenthe first outer gear 53310 a engaged with the right articulation cable53210 is rotated in the clockwise direction CW and the second outer gear53310 b engaged with the left articulation cable 53212 is rotated in thecounter-clockwise direction CCW, the first slider member 53700 istranslated distally and the second slider member 53800 is translatedproximally.

As discussed above, the distal ends of the first and second slidermembers 53700, 53800 are attached to the end effector 53400 on eitherside of the second articulation axis AA₂. Thus, when the first slidermember 53700 and the second slider member 53800 are translated inopposite directions by the right articulation cable 53210 and the leftarticulation cable 53212, respectively, the end effector 53400 isrotated about the second articulation axis AA₂. Other embodiments areenvisioned where only one half of the powered articulation system 53100is utilized to rotate the end effector about the second articulationaxis AA₂. In one such arrangement, only the right articulation cable53210, the first outer articulation gear 53310 a, the first pin 53900,and the first slider 53700 are utilized to rotate the end effector 53400about the second articulation axis AA₂, for example.

Further to the above, a first inner articulation gear 53320 a and asecond inner articulation gear 53320 b (see FIG. 166) are mounted to theproximal end of the articulatable shaft portion 53300 and rotatablymounted to the distal end of the shaft 53200 such that the first andsecond inner articulation gears 53320 a, 53320 b are rotatable about thefirst articulation axis AA₁. A second right articulation cable 53214 anda second left articulation cable 53216 are operably engaged with thefirst inner articulation gear 53320 a and the second inner articulationgear 53320 b, respectively. In use, when the second set of articulationcables 53214, 53216 are actuated, the first inner articulation gear53320 a and the second inner articulation gear 53320 b are rotated aboutthe first articulation axis AA₁. Thus, when the second set ofarticulation cables are actuated, the articulatable shaft portion 53300and the end effector 53400 extending therefrom are rotated about thefirst articulation axis AA₁.

Further to the above, the surgical instrument 53000 comprises a firstarticulation lock member 53950 and a second articulation lock member53960 positioned within the shaft 53200 of the surgical instrument53000. The first articulation lock member 53950 and the secondarticulation lock member 53960 are configured to operably engage radialsets of teeth on the articulation gears 53310 a, 53310 b, 53320 a, 53320b to prevent rotation of the articulatable shaft portion 53300 about thefirst articulation axis AA₁ and to prevent rotation of the end effector53400 about the second articulation axis AA₂. The surgical instrument53000 further comprises a first lock actuator 53955 configured toactuate the first articulation lock member 53950 and a second lockactuator 53965 configured to actuate the second articulation lock member53960. In at least one embodiment, the first lock actuator 53955 and thesecond lock actuator 53965 comprise solenoids, electric motors, or anysuitable motivator, and/or combinations thereof. Other embodiments areenvisioned where the first and second lock actuators 53955, 53965 areactuatable due to rotary motions produced in the housing of the surgicalinstrument 53000. In at least one embodiment, the first and secondarticulation lock members 53950, 53960 are configured to automaticallydisengage the articulation gears 53310 a, 53310 b, 53320 a, 53320 b whenthe first and second sets of articulation cables are actuated.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivatedby an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motorsdisclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a roboticallycontrolled system. Any of the systems disclosed herein can be used witha handled surgical instrument. Moreover, any of the systems disclosedherein can be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a roboticsurgical instrument system in greater detail and is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described inconnection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, theembodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments areenvisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps ortacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned whichutilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an endeffector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodesconfigured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an endeffector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrationalenergy to seal the tissue.

Various embodiments described herein are described in the context oflinear end effectors and/or linear fastener cartridges. Suchembodiments, and the teachings thereof, can be applied to non-linear endeffectors and/or non-linear fastener cartridges, such as, for example,circular and/or contoured end effectors. For example, various endeffectors, including non-linear end effectors, are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, filed Feb. 28, 2011, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2011/0226837, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/893,461, filed Sep. 29, 2012, entitled STAPLECARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0074198, ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/031,873, filed Feb. 15, 2008, entitled ENDEFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,980,443, is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013, is also herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The entire disclosures of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE,which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21,2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued onSep. 9, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec.16, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FORA SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED SURGICALINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROLASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,072,535;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,345,481;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263552;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although various devices have been described herein in connection withcertain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodimentsmay be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus,the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole orin part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one oremore other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials aredisclosed for certain components, other materials may be used.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Theforegoing description and following claims are intended to cover allsuch modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the stepsincluding, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followedby cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, andsubsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioningfacility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, aftercleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device canbe reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety oftechniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use ofsuch techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all withinthe scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, anew or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. Theinstrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, theinstrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plasticor TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a fieldof radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation,x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria onthe instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may thenbe stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep theinstrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A devicemay also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art,including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethyleneoxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; ashaft extending from said housing, wherein said shaft comprises: alongitudinal shaft; a first articulatable shaft portion; a firstarticulation joint rotatably connecting said first articulatable shaftportion to said longitudinal shaft, wherein said first articulationjoint defines a first articulation axis; a second articulatable shaftportion; and a second articulation joint rotatably connecting saidsecond articulatable shaft portion to said longitudinal shaft, whereinsaid second articulation joint defines a second articulation axis, andwherein said second articulation axis is orthogonal to said firstarticulation axis; a first drive actuator operably engaged with saidfirst articulatable shaft portion configured to articulate said firstarticulatable shaft portion about said first articulation axis, whereinsaid first drive actuator extends through said second articulationjoint; a second drive actuator operably engaged with said secondarticulatable shaft portion configured to articulate said secondarticulatable shaft portion about said second articulation axis; a firstarticulation lock positioned adjacent to said first articulation jointconfigured to releasably hold said first articulatable shaft portion inposition; and a second articulation lock positioned adjacent to saidsecond articulation joint configured to releasably hold said secondarticulatable shaft portion in position.
 2. The surgical instrument ofclaim 1, wherein the actuation of said first drive actuatorautomatically unlocks said first articulation lock.
 3. The surgicalinstrument of claim 1, wherein the actuation of said second driveactuator automatically unlocks said second articulation lock.
 4. Thesurgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising an end effectorattached to said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises a staplecartridge.
 5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising afirst electric motor configured to drive said first drive actuator and asecond electric motor configured to drive said second drive actuator. 6.The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said first drive actuatorcomprises a first set of cable drive actuators operably engaged withsaid first articulatable shaft portion configured to articulate saidfirst articulatable shaft portion about said first articulation axis,and wherein said first set of cable drive actuators extends through saidsecond articulation joint, and wherein said second drive actuatorcomprises a second set of cable drive actuators operably engaged withsaid second articulatable shaft portion configured to articulate saidsecond articulatable shaft portion about said second articulation axis.7. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; a shaft assemblyextending from said housing, wherein said shaft assembly comprises: alongitudinal shaft; a first articulatable shaft portion; a firstarticulation joint rotatably connecting said first articulatable shaftportion to said longitudinal shaft, wherein said first articulationjoint defines a first articulation axis; a second articulatable shaftportion; and a second articulation joint rotatably connecting saidsecond articulatable shaft portion to said first articulatable shaftportion, wherein said second articulation joint defines a secondarticulation axis, and wherein said second articulation axis isorthogonal to said first articulation axis; a first drive actuatoroperably engaged with said first articulatable shaft portion, whereinsaid first drive actuator is configured to articulate said firstarticulatable shaft portion about said first articulation axis, andwherein said first drive actuator extends through said secondarticulation joint; a second drive actuator operably engaged with saidsecond articulatable shaft portion, wherein said second drive actuatoris configured to articulate said second articulatable shaft portionabout said second articulation axis; a first articulation lockpositioned adjacent to said first articulation joint, wherein said firstarticulation lock is configured to releasably hold said firstarticulatable shaft portion in position; and a second articulation lockpositioned adjacent to said second articulation joint, wherein saidsecond articulation lock is configured to releasably hold said secondarticulatable shaft portion in position.
 8. The surgical instrument ofclaim 7, wherein the actuation of said first drive actuatorautomatically unlocks said first articulation lock.
 9. The surgicalinstrument of claim 7, wherein the actuation of said second driveactuator automatically unlocks said second articulation lock.
 10. Thesurgical instrument of claim 7, further comprising an end effectorattached to said shaft assembly, wherein said end effector comprises astaple cartridge.
 11. The surgical instrument of claim 7, furthercomprising a first electric motor configured to drive said first driveactuator and a second electric motor configured to drive said seconddrive actuator.
 12. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein saidfirst drive actuator comprises a first set of cable drive actuatorsoperably engaged with said first articulatable shaft portion configuredto articulate said first articulatable shaft portion about said firstarticulation axis, wherein said first set of cable drive actuatorsextends through said second articulation joint, and wherein said seconddrive actuator comprises a second set of cable drive actuators operablyengaged with said second articulatable shaft portion configured toarticulate said second articulatable shaft portion about said secondarticulation axis.
 13. A surgical system, comprising: a shaft assembly,comprising: a longitudinal shaft; a first articulatable shaft portion; afirst articulation joint rotatably connecting said first articulatableshaft portion to said longitudinal shaft, wherein said firstarticulation joint defines a first articulation axis; a secondarticulatable shaft portion; and a second articulation joint rotatablyconnecting said second articulatable shaft portion to said firstarticulatable shaft portion, wherein said second articulation jointdefines a second articulation axis, and wherein said second articulationaxis is orthogonal to said first articulation axis; a first driveactuator operably engaged with said first articulatable shaft portion,wherein said first drive actuator is configured to articulate said firstarticulatable shaft portion about said first articulation axis, andwherein said first drive actuator extends through said secondarticulation joint; a second drive actuator operably engaged with saidsecond articulatable shaft portion, wherein said second drive actuatoris configured to articulate said second articulatable shaft portionabout said second articulation axis; a first articulation blockpositioned adjacent to said first articulation joint, wherein said firstarticulation block is configured to releasably hold said firstarticulatable shaft portion in position; and a second articulation blockpositioned adjacent to said second articulation joint, wherein saidsecond articulation block is configured to releasably hold said secondarticulatable shaft portion in position.
 14. The surgical system ofclaim 13, wherein the actuation of said first drive actuatorautomatically unlocks said first articulation block.
 15. The surgicalsystem of claim 13, wherein the actuation of said second drive actuatorautomatically unlocks said second articulation block.
 16. The surgicalsystem of claim 13, further comprising an end effector attached to saidshaft assembly, wherein said end effector comprises a staple cartridge.17. The surgical system of claim 13, further comprising a first electricmotor configured to drive said first drive actuator and a secondelectric motor configured to drive said second drive actuator.
 18. Thesurgical system of claim 13, wherein said first drive actuator comprisesa first set of cable drive actuators operably engaged with said firstarticulatable shaft portion configured to articulate said firstarticulatable shaft portion about said first articulation axis, whereinsaid first set of cable drive actuators extends through said secondarticulation joint, and wherein said second drive actuator comprises asecond set of cable drive actuators operably engaged with said secondarticulatable shaft portion configured to articulate said secondarticulatable shaft portion about said second articulation axis.
 19. Thesurgical system of claim 13, further comprising a housing, wherein saidshaft assembly extends from said housing.